Tuesday, August 31, 1999
If there isn’t enough activity in the church you attend, get active!
Monday, August 30, 1999
God is not so concerned about whom you worship with but rather whom you worship!
Sunday, August 29, 1999
Today was one of the few Sundays in recent times that I have not been speaking somewhere. We visited a church that was fresh and alive. It was encouraging to be there.
The speaker was the associate pastor who appeared to be of retirement age. In spite of his season in life and his obvious conservative roots, one sensed he had a good grasp on what it took to pastor a ‘living church.’
When he referred to church buildings (they have a lovely newer facility), he said, “Church buildings are either a monument of the past or a signpost of the future.”
Reflecting upon his statement, I think that the same can be said for each of us as believers in Christ. We are either a monument of the past or a signpost for the future.
Lord, this I pray. That I may never become an antique, monument or fossil of the faith but rather I would be a signpost of your death, resurrection and eminent return for your church. That I may…
S eek your face all the days of my life.
I gnite a burning heart for you in others.
G ive willingly to the work of the church, regardless of pay, earthly reward or recognition.
N ever lose the passion that burns within me for You and Your work.
P ut old pain and failure behind me so I may lightheartedly serve you.
O vercome evil with good.
S erve people with joy and thanksgiving.
T urn my eyes to You when I need help.
Saturday, August 28, 1999
If you’re too busy to pray, you’re too busy to live.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Friday, August 27, 1999
Christians should discontinue the practice of making excuses for being too busy to have quality, quantity family times, too busy to help in church and too busy to spend time with God and deal with reality… it’s a priority problem!
Thursday, August 26, 1999
I dreamed I went to a church that…
…the worship service was well organized and those who were involved in the service felt privileged to take part.
…everyone came on time.
…everyone sang the hymns and worship songs with enthusiasm.
…when the offering was to be received the people began to shout for joy as they presented their offerings to the Lord.
…when the people were asked to help in various ministries there were too many volunteers.
…the pastor’s sermon was interesting, easy to listen to and meaningful.
…everyone was friendly and invited visitors over for dinner after church.
…the people invited their neighbors, friends and acquaintances to church.
…the pastor visited the people in their homes and made hospital calls.
…the Elders concentrated on personal ministry to the people and the pastor, and left the day to day business affairs of the church to other leaders called to that ministry.
…the congregation carried each others burdens, prayed for each other and guarded each others dignity.
…the people loved each other.
…the pastor loved the people.
…the people loved the pastor.
…the church paid the pastor an over abundance and they enjoyed blessing him in this way.
Then I woke up!
Wednesday, August 25, 1999
“God never sends a burden to weigh us down without offering His arm to lift us up.”
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Tuesday, August 24, 1999
Recently this quote was sent to me…
“A TV service ad carried these words “We can fix anything wrong with your TV except the lousy programs ”
In my consultations with troubled churches I kind of feel like that; “I can fix anything except the lousy programs.” So many churches spend little time and effort making their programs, including worship, excellent. The common attitude seems to be in the ‘getting by mode.’ Getting by is not good enough when eternity is at stake.
Sometimes I feel like God can fix anything but a lousy attitude! (And I know He has ways to fix those too!)
Monday, August 23, 1999
THROUGH THE STORMS
I did not know His love before,
the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care,
the “Self-sufficient” lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I’d seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I’d found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
my anchor would not hold.
The ship that I had built myself
was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him
and bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me,
and then He helped me stand.
He said, “You still must face this storm,
but I will hold your hand.”
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
or when the storm might wane.
Yet through the aches and endless tears,
my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
but my light began to glow.
I saw God’s love in brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
could Jesus’ love shine through.
It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, “Why?”
At times I thought, “I can’t go on.”
I’d hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side,
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife,
through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.
And now I see as never before
how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong,
how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
and then He cried, “Enough!”
He raised His hand and said, “Be still!”
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still,
I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness,
He never did me wrong.
Now I know more storms will come,
but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
as naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I’ll love Him more,
that’s where I want to be!
—unknown
–contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Sunday, August 22, 1999
“We don’t go to church, we are the church”
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Saturday, August 21, 1999
“It is better for things to go in one ear and out the other than to go in one ear, get all mixed up, then slip out of the mouth.”
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Friday, August 20, 1999
Prayer for “Divine prevention” would likely eliminate much of the need of prayer for “Divine intervention.”
Thursday, August 19, 1999
Many people find themselves on a lifelong adventure of critiquing the character of others while failing to recognize and neglect their own character flaws. This is a tragic mistake because a person’s character is their destiny!
And then there are those who still wonder why we need God’s grace.
Wednesday, August 18, 1999
In the midst of the most turmoil lifestyle in the history of the world, people are seeking peace. However, peace seems to be very evasive these days. So, therefore, the questions should be asked, “What is peace?” There is peace when “nothing is broken and nothing is missing.”
Is there anything broken or missing in your life. Until you find it and fix it you will never have peace.
Tuesday, August 17, 1999
When you feel like you have exhausted all of your resources, remember… God’s resources never diminish! If you need more resources… go to the source!
Monday, August 16, 1999
When God doesn’t speak to you… you better be speaking to Him!
Sunday, August 15, 1999
It’s not the broken hearted who suffer in this life… it’s those who have no heart.
Saturday, August 14, 1999
If we could learn to communicate better with God perhaps we could learn to communicate better with each other.
Friday, August 13, 1999
No God – No Peace.
Know God – Know Peace
-contributed by Marge Palfrey
Thursday, August 12, 1999
Six ways to improve your Sunday worship experience…
Pray on Monday.
Pray on Tuesday.
Pray on Wednesday.
Pray on Thursday.
Pray on Friday.
Pray on Saturday.
Wednesday, August 11, 1999
When God forgives people of sin it is like the sunset. It is a thing of beauty never to be seen again. Then there is a new day…
Tuesday, August 10, 1999
Time is what we want most, but what, alas! we use worst; and for which God will certainly most strictly reckon with us, when time shall be no more.
William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Monday, August 9, 1999
To believe in God is good. To believe in what God is doing is better. To get involved in what God is doing is best!
Sunday, August 8, 1999
To: All Who Believe in Me
From: God
Subject: Life’s Problems
Good Morning.
I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.
If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, DO NOT attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in MY time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or attempt to remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.
-contributed by Garrett Novak
Saturday, August 7, 1999
When you choose a road to travel in life, don’t choose the one marked “Good Intentions.” The road to hell is paved with good intentions!
Friday, August 6, 1999
If a Sunday morning sermon isn’t written in your heart, it’s probably not worth writing in your bulletin!
Thursday, August 5, 1999
Dear Jesus,
As I start my day today, help me to remember that you love my critics. That you died for the sins of those who accuse me. Even when their words rip at the most tender areas of my heart, I will forgive them and pray for them. And Lord, through my tears, I also pray for those who are guilty of a most grievous and repulsive sin… gossip.
Amen
P.S. Lord, please forgive me when I criticize, accuse and gossip. For even though I try to “fight the good fight” and “run the good race,” I am really a champion sinner whose only crown is your mercy, grace and love. Of which, I am eternally grateful.
Thursday, August 5, 1999
Dear Jesus,
As I start my day today, help me to remember that you love my critics. That you died for the sins of those who accuse me. Even when their words rip at the most tender areas of my heart, I will forgive them and pray for them. And Lord, through my tears, I also pray for those who are guilty of a most grievous and repulsive sin… gossip.
Amen
P.S. Lord, please forgive me when I criticize, accuse and gossip. For even though I try to “fight the good fight” and “run the good race,” I am really a champion sinner whose only crown is your mercy, grace and love. Of which, I am eternally grateful.
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
Worry is like a rocking chair, no matter how much you rock, you get nowhere.
If you whisper in church, whisper a prayer.
When a fellow is kicking, he only has one leg to stand on.
We ask God to provide for us, and when He does we congratulate ourselves upon our success.
Everybody is liable to make mistakes, but fools practice them.
An honest man alters his opinions to fit the truth while a dishonest man alters the truth to fit his opinions.
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Tuesday, August 3, 1999
When the Bible is silent about a subject, I too had better be silent, unless I recognize the possibility of coming back to confess that I was mistaken.
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Monday, August 2, 1999
The world has forgotten, in it’s concern with left and right, that there is an above and a below.
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Sunday, August 1, 1999
The gospel is not something only to go to church to hear… but to go from church to tell.
-contributed by Marv Nelson
