January 1, 1999
A New Year often brings New Year resolutions. For Christians it is often a renewed commitment in their personal walk with God. The following ‘thought’ perhaps will help us realize that this renewed commitment does not come easy, cheap or without sacrifice. Yes, it wasn’t easy, cheap or without sacrifice for God give us His one and only Son to die on a cross that we might have eternally life.
Fellowship of the Unashamed
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die’s been cast, I’ve stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I am through and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tame visions, colorless dreams, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now walk by faith, lean on His presence, lift by prayer, labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal Heaven, my road narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t let up, give up, or shut up until I’ve stayed up, prayed up, stored up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I will go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when Jesus comes for His own, He shall have no problem recognizing me for my banner will be clear. For I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
-contributed by Ralph and Judy Fischer
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Saturday, January 2, 1999
Once when I was in 4th grade I attempted to take a shortcut home from school across a fenced pasture where a black horse grazed. It never dawned on me that this would be ‘unfriendly’ territory.
As I began to walk through the pasture I suddenly heard some unfamiliar noises. The strange sound coming from the horses nostrils and the rapid sound of pounding hoofs startled me. I turned and there was the black horse running toward me at what appeared to be full speed. I took off running as fast as I could toward a large oak tree. The branches were too high for me to reach quickly so I just stepped behind the tree, keeping it between that black horse and me. And there we stood, one very scared little boy and one big black horse whose intentions where unknown but appeared to be bad.
As I stood behind the tree the horse was rather bewildered. He would move to his right and I would move toward my right. We circled the tree across from each other a few times and then he just stopped, stared at me, snorted, and stomped his front hoofs on the ground. My heart felt like it was going to explode right out of my chest. I thought; “If I stay behind this tree I’ll be okay and someone has to come looking for me eventually!”
After a period of time that seemed like an hour the horse was momentarily distracted by a noise across the pasture. The fence to freedom was only about 50 or 60 feet away. I impulsively took off running for the fence. When the horse turned and saw me running for the fence he took off after me. I could hear his snorting and pounding hoofs getting closer as I approached the fence. I knew I had no time to stop, spread the barbwire and step through so I tried to jump the fence like a high jumper. As I flew through the air I thought I had it made until my coat caught on the barb wire and kind of wrapped me up in it. There I hung on the other side of the fence.
The horse stopped at the fence, stared at me for a moment and as if to say; “You are out of my territory now,” he turned and left. I slid out of my coat and shook as I freed my coat from the barbwire. I made it home safely but I never went into that pasture again.
Far too often people spend time in the wrong pasture where evil and danger roam. When it begins to overtake them, they run toward the safety of God. And when they clear the fence of the evil pasture into God’s presence they are safe. Just like I was safe from the big, black horse. I never went back into the pasture where that big, black horse lived but people have a tendency to go back repeatedly to the pastures of evil and danger only to meet the same results.
The lesson here is quite simple. Stay on God’s side of the fence. One trip to the pasture of evil and danger ought to be enough for anyone!
Sunday, January 3, 1999
ATTITUDE
“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.
The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.”
-Charles Swindoll
-contributed by Shari Lawson
Attitude determines altitude!
Monday, January 4, 1999
Seasons of the Saints
I believe that spiritual growth is something that should occur naturally in the life of a believer. However, it appears that we are spending a lot of church resources including man hours and money to force feed growth on people who should not have to be coaxed. Spiritual growth should appear naturally as the ministry and fellowship of the local church are blessing people.
In nature we have four seasons. Would it be fair to try to relate them to our spiritual growth. For the sake of illustration, let’s try.
Spring is characteristic of new life, new birth if you will. No matter what we do or think, spring shows up each March and stays until summer. So should the beauty of salvation be to a new believer… the spring of their journey with God.
Summer is a season of growth and warmth. So should the beauty of spiritual growth take place in the life of a young believer… in the summer of their journey with God. This is the time when good habits, devotion, and a proper relationship with God are developed.
Fall is a season when things die or go dormant for the winter. In the life of the believer, this is the season of ‘dying out to one self.’ Here is where we give up our dream for God’s dream for our lives.
Winter is a time of final death for much vegetation and insects. But there is also a sense of purity, especially in the snow regions. This is a crucial season in the life of the believer because here is where sanctification takes place. I describe sanctification as the season in ones life where ‘they want more of God than anything else.’ There is something symbolically sacred about a northern winter. It holds its mastery over us.
What spiritual season are you in?
Remember, ‘spiritual growth should come as natural as breathing’ if people are attending a local church and that local church is blessing the people through ministry and fellowship.
Tuesday, January 5, 1999
Don’t Worry… Be Happy!
We can be trite about worry but the fact is all people worry from time to time. No matter how much faith we try to muster there are times when we feel alone and perhaps even abandoned by God. Circumstances beyond our ability to change or our control can cause us to feel as if we are a ship in a raging sea without a sail or steering of any kind. But in the most uncharted waters we must navigate while holding our faith close.
We must come to grips with the reality that there are times when our lives are truly in God’s hands. How often? Every second of every day!
So regardless of what tomorrow brings, don’t worry because God is already there!
Wednesday, January 6, 1999
Misery Loves Company?
Interesting sayings may sound good but are not always very true. Misery loves love! People who are suffering and stuck in miserable circumstances need the love of God in their lives. Be an ambassador of God’s love. Find some miserable people today and love them unconditionally.
Where do you look? Start with the people closest to you and work your way out. We have been so programmed to reach out to strangers that people rarely spend time meeting the needs of those closest to them including spouses, children, siblings, parents or other extended family members. Remember… misery loves love!
Thursday, January 7, 1999
If Cars Could Talk
If cars could talk, what would they say about their drivers? Would they see a side of a person that is totally hidden from everyone else? Where do cars take their drivers that no one else knows about? What dark secrets would cars see and hear that their owners have hidden from the world? If your car could talk, what would he say about you?
Of course, this is ridiculous! Our cars can’t see or talk! They can’t tell others any secrets. They can’t hear anything we say and do. BUT GOD DOES!
Friday, January 8, 1999
“Love God–Love Others—Take Time To Listen!”
-contributed by Garrett Novak
Saturday, January 9, 1999
Sin Buffet
Annually there is a bumper crop. People will never run out of it. The initial cost is often little. Inflation or the economy has little effect on it. Sin abounds!
People seem to be lining up for the ‘Sin Buffet.’ The menu doesn’t change, there’s just lots of it. For those who are hungry for sin… there is enough go around.
Perhaps a change of spiritual diet is in order! Try a plate of purpose, a cup of caring, a glass of goodness and a bowl of beatitude (Beautiful Attitude).
Sunday, January 10, 1999
What would happen if Christians spent a tithe (10%) of the time they spend on the internet on the ‘heavennet’ (Prayer)?
Monday, January 11, 1999
Raising children is and always has been a challenge. Good parenting skills are often learned after our children are grown. Perhaps that’s why we have so many wonderful grandparents!
Remember, children are a gift from God.
Tuesday, January 12, 1999
Wise parents attempt to see the bigger picture of a child’s life. They don’t gauge the child’s progress toward maturity by what he or she is doing but rather on what they are becoming!
Remember children are a gift from God.
Wednesday, January 13, 1999
I have noticed something interesting about kids. When parents first get them, they are all pretty good. God got them here in good shape, as a beautiful little person. As parents, we have a lot to do with the rest of the journey.
Remember, children are a gift from God.
Thursday, January 14, 1999
Because children are a gift from God, He provided an ‘Owners Manual.’ Pity so few parents read it. It pretty much covers it all except explicit instructions about changing diapers. The Bible is God’s handbook of abundant living, especially geared toward raising children. If we changed the cover and called it ‘Dr. God’s Baby Book’ even the most liberal might read it!
Remember, children are a gift from God.
Friday, January 15, 1998
When that little bundle of joy grows into a little bundle of energy and stares you right in the eye for the first time and says “NO,” what do you do? Or perhaps we should ask what do you say?
I dissect the word ‘no’ this way. ‘N’ is for natural and ‘O’ is for objection. ‘Natural Objection!’ It is only natural for children to object to not getting enough time, enough attention, or enough love from a parent. You may think that I may be over simplifying this… and maybe I am. But the next time your little or big ‘bundle of love’ says “NO,” remember that more time, more attention, and more love will bring a lot more… Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!
Oh, by the way, this principle also works in marriages!
Saturday, January 16, 1999
A Survival Kit for Everyday
Items needed:
- Toothpick
- Rubberband
- Band Aid
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Chewing Gum
- Mint
- Candy Kiss
- Tea Bag
1. Toothpick- to remind you to pick the good qualities in others. Matt 7:1
2. Rubberband-to remind you to be flexible, things might not always be the way you want, but it will work out. Romans 8:28
3. Band Aid- to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s. Col 3:12-14
4. Pencil-to remind you to list your blessings everyday. Eph 1:3
5. Eraser-to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and it’s OK. Gen 50:15-21
6. Chewing Gum-to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything with the help from Jesus. Phil 4:13
7. Mint- to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly Father. John 3:16-17
8. Candy Kiss-to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or hug everyday. I John 4:7
9. Tea Bag- to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God’s blessings. I Thess 5:18
-contributed by Linda Weiner
Sunday, January 17, 1999
Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth,
I’m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Ruth’s hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer. “With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. “Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. I’ll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner.”
She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. “Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk… leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind if really wanted to.
“Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady I understand. Thanks anyway.” The man put his arm around the women’s shoulders, turned and head back into alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt familiar twinge in her heart. “Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady. Thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!” It was the man’s wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. “You know I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one. “Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the women shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street…without her coat and nothing to serve her guest. “Thank you lady! Thank you very much!”
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key.
But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually come twice in one day. She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth,
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too for the beautiful coat.
Love Always
Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat Ruth no longer noticed.
-contributed by Ed Andrist, Head Mens Basketball Coach at Mount Senario College.
Monday, January 18, 1999
Question of a Lifetime?
“If you were the only believer left in the world, based on your present
commitment to winning the lost for Christ, would the church flourish after
you’re death or die with you?”
Tuesday, January 19, 1999
People fear the unknown. That is why it is so important that people have a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Life’s Channel Markers
During a recent voyage on a local sightseeing ship, we were traveling up a canal that connects the ocean with a fresh water lake. A short distance up the canal we encountered another vessel aground and listing quite severely. As we passed the vessel, we noted the crew dressed in survival gear hanging on to the top railing. We exchanged pleasantries with the crew, and joked with them that they would have a number of hours to wait until high tide so that the vessel would float again. Up the canal, our ship turned around and we again passed by the listing vessel. We noted that the listing vessel was just outside the channel markers. Assuming that all it would take is for the tide to come in and re-float the listing vessel, I didn’t think much more of the incident. However, several days later, I learned that the tide came in and the listing was too severe for the principles of buoyancy to take effect. The ship slid off the ledge it was resting on and sank in the deeper channel.
Living the Christian life is like what happened to that vessel. If one ignores God’s channel markers, running aground is a very real consequence that includes being not that far off the mark. If one thinks that all that is necessary is to allow a little time to pass in order to regain one’s spiritual buoyancy, one can be lulled into a false sense of security that leads to destruction. Follow God’s channel markers that lead to true freedom.
Contributed and written by Tim Bowman
December, 1994
Thursday, January 21, 1999
We hear a lot these days about dying with ‘dignity.’ We should be more concerned about dying with ‘deity!’
Friday, January 22, 1999
We should not dally in the borderlands of sin and flirt with temptation. “Shall a man take fire into his bosom and not be burned?” We should be pressing on into the kingdom of holiness, putting on the full armor of God that we may be able to withstand the wiles of the enemy, and having
done all to stand.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Saturday, January 23, 1999
LOVE
Love is giving space to be and to grow.
Love is a choice — not a should.
Love is sharing hopes, fears, and joys;
It is a sharing of tears and laughter.
Love won’t come to you if you hide
And expect it to find you.
Love will find you only if you are open to it.
Love is only received by those who put forth love.
Love is reaching out and sometimes letting go.
Love is being honest,
And open,
And real…even when it hurts.
For hurting brings growth,
And to love is to give one the space to grow.
Love is made up equally of giving and receiving.
Too much or too little of either distorts true love.
Love is being close but not smothering;
Close enough for our hearts to touch,
But far enough away to see each other
And ourselves clearly.
— Carol A., 1978
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Sunday, January 24, 1999
In the local church, it may seem less spiritual to plan ahead, be structured and organized but it sure helps to free up time for ministry!!!
Monday, January 25, 1999
People seem to like their jobs and the people they work with less and less these days. Christians must renew their minds with the realization that where they work is the place God has given them to be in ministry and to share the gospel with their co-workers.
The thought of this rings with ‘political incorrectness.’ But how could loving the people one works with the love of Christ be of more risk to the workplace than the hostility and discontentment that is presently reported. We were not called to be ‘politicians of Jesus Christ’ but rather ‘ambassadors of Jesus Christ.’
Tuesday, January 26, 1999
Two years ago, in early January, I stood at my mother’s deathbed and she repeatedly said these words to me; “Do your job!” She wanted me to prayer for her. And so I prayed for her.
Then in a few moments she repeated to me, “Do your job!”
My heart was so broken by the experience that it has taken months for me to reflect on all that happened during those 10 days. But I realized that on her deathbed, my mother recognized the value of the gospel in a way far beyond those who look forward to another day on earth. When she told me to do my job it had nothing to do with work and everything to do with ministry.
So to you I say, “Do your job!” Take your ministry with you to work!
I will always miss my mother. She was a very special person in my life. She always encouraged me. She taught me how precious people are… all people! Even the ones at work!
Wednesday, January, 27, 1999
Sunday School is one of the few times in the lives of our children where they can gather together, hear about God and express themselves to one another. How valuable is Sunday School? Priceless!
Thursday, January 28, 1999
The highway isn’t much different than the road of life. Some people drive responsibly in all kinds of conditions. Some are so cautious that they clog up traffic. And still others… throw caution to the wind!
Too often churches have all the same type of drivers in leadership. The responsible leaders hold status quo knowing neither the peace of caution nor the satisfaction of progress. The cautious leaders live risk free wondering why more progress is not made. The ‘risk taker’ leaders wonder why the dream is not fulfilled when they worked so hard. So which is right or wrong? None, they simply need each other.
But isn’t it interesting that when church boards are elected, the mix of leadership is almost never a consideration.
Friday, January 29, 1999
There is certainly a tendency these days to complain about our elected officials and those if power. As Christians, we should take a hard look at what the scriptures teach us about this matter. To narrow it further, I suggest a basic study of the life and teachings of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to see what attitude and complaints Jesus had about Caesar, the governor, and other public officials.
I think you will find that His complaint was primarily against the religious leaders of the day! That’s not too say that there weren’t scandals, corruption and crimes in government high places!
But could it be that the problem in our country today is in our churches and not in Washington?
Saturday, January 30, 1999
Keep Your Fork
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So, as she was getting her things in order she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
There is one more thing, she said excitedly. What is that, came the pastor’s reply. This is very important, the woman continued. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.
The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn’t it? the woman asked. Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request, said the pastor.
The woman explained, In all my years of attending church meetings, socials, fund-raisers and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, keep your fork. It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming …like velvety chocolate cake or hot apple pie. Something wonderful and with substance
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, “What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them: Keep Your Fork … the best is yet to come.
The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy, as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But, he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral, people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over again, he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor
told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So, the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently…that the best is yet to come!
-contributed by Shari Lawson
Sunday, January 31, 1999
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
and Today is a gift: that’s why we call it – “The Present”.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
