Saturday, June 22, 2002
By the time most of you read this, we will be on our way to Monterrey Mexico to spend a week ministering in churches. I have no way of knowing what your attitude is in regards to Missions trips. All I know is what my attitude used to be.
I had always said that I would never go on a Mission trip, even though I had been asked to go several times. I had very good reasons (at least I thought they were good reasons). Last September I started working with a group that was going to go in November. I helped them learn Spanish phrases, and taught them a few songs in Spanish. At one point, I realized that I probably had missed God on this thing, and realized that I hadn’t even prayed about it—I just gave my standard answer to any reference to going on a Mission Trip. At that point I thought that it was too late to step forward (and besides, it would be a little embarrassing to admit I was wrong), but God worked things out and I ended up going in November. Now I can’t completely understand the feelings that most people have when they go to Mexico on a trip like this. For most people, it would be like going to a foreign country (because it is), but for me it means going home. I worked with missionaries there for close to a year after graduating from college. I think I feel more comfortable in the Mexican culture than I do here in many ways.
However, God did a lot that week. For one thing, I realized again how much I love to be involved in ministry. I also was able to help a group of people put their talents/gifts into a week dedicated to ministry. I realized anew that the only things that really matter in this life are the things we do for God’s kingdom, because everything else will end when this life is over. Now I realize that there are a lot of things that need to be done in this country for God’s kingdom, but there is something about taking a week and dedicating it completely to furthering God’s kingdom with a group of people, possibly from different church backgrounds It means learning to work together for a common goal, and that goal is to spread God’s love.
As you receive the daily updates of the trip to Monterrey, first of all, keep us in your prayers. Then, start praying about whether or not you should be involved in a future trip. It doesn’t matter what talents/giftings you think you may (or may not) have—God can use you. And I will guarantee you that if you decide to go, you will never be the same again. The biggest work that God does in that week may not be in the people of Mexico (or wherever you go)—it just might be the work that God does in your life in that time of ministry.
-Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Friday, June 21, 2002
I woke up this morning anxious to get all packed for Mexico. We will be leaving our house at 1:30 a.m. meeting our team at 2:30 a.m. and then riding together to the airport planning to arrive at 3:30 a.m. Our flight leaves at 6:00 a.m. with a short layover in Dallas and arriving in Monterey about 11:20 a.m. The weather in Monterrey is hot, 114 degrees!!! However, it will cool off to 98 – 102 degrees while we are there. It’s about 69 degrees and rainy in Minnesota today. Quite a contrast!
You may follow our trip via the Internet at our website at http://churchmouse.net . I will be giving you daily updates via email providing everything works okay. With the new spaming software that Isp’s are using it may make emailing through their system a little more difficult. If for any reason you don’t hear from me via email you may get the daily thoughts off the website.
Please pray for our team. There are 16 team members, 11 females and 5 males. Each group I take is different and the dynamics of a trip like this affects people in different ways. The night before people leave it is not uncommon for them to look in the mirror and ask themselves what they have gotten themselves into. We go to Mexico to provide ministry but what we get in return is immeasurable. Team member’s lives are changed forever. But change doesn’t come easy and it usually has a price. Again, please pray every day for our team this week.
Prayer is the one habit we don’t ever want to break!
-Ps 90:1-2 NIV
A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
-Ps 90:17-91:1
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands.
-Psalms 91:1 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Every mountain we climb in life is not carefully calculated or expected. We climb life’s mountains one step at the time at such gradual inclines that we do not even know we are climbing them. But God does! The steps can be hard if we never walk on level ground or down hill. But God is always with us. As a friend of mine always says, “I keep running against the wind but I refuse to run alone!”
Too often we climb the mountains of life alone, oblivious to those around us who are walking or have walked the same path. In life there is always someone who has walked in your path and faced your mountain. Yet many people choose to avoid those who have experienced their mountain. The unfortunate thing is that these people really can help lighten and shorten the climb. Seek out those who have made the journey and praise God when they tell about it.
What ever the mountain is that you may be climbing, you may be lonely but you’re never alone. Even when you think you’re alone, God is there. Even when you feel alone, God is there. Even when you want to be alone, God is there. Even when you don’t want God around, God is there.
You may be lonely but you will never be alone!
-Ps 68:6 NIV
God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
This morning I tried to call Mexico only to get a busy signal over and over and over and over and over and over again! Although it was not an emergency I still found it frustrating not to be able to get through. Then I thought perhaps the phone lines were down. Then I thought perhaps I had the wrong number so I went online to their website to recheck their phone number. I verified that it was the correct number but when I redialed it I still got the busy signal. Now you must realize that I have a lot of patience because I have never used any of them. Then an interesting thought came to me.
How often does it happen that when God is trying to get through to me that all He gets is a BUSY SIGNAL? Of course, I wouldn’t know because He couldn’t get through to me. You see, when our lives are too busy one of the first things we eliminate is our special time with God. Being too busy for God is just too busy.
Thankfully, God uses His patience!
-2 Peter 3:15 NIV
”Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,…”
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Mercy is not something that comes easy in the earthly realm. But God, in His mercy, shows His favor on us everyday. If our punishment equaled our sin there would be moaning in the streets and, yes, even gnashing of teeth from the anguish of the burdens that we would carry. But God in His mercy extends grace to all who seek Him. If you have been having trouble finding mercy in the earthly realm try finding it in the heavenly realm.
How do you find the heavenly realm? Well, a lot of people find it on their knees wherever they are. But there are many satellite stations here on earth located in easy to find locations. We call them churches! Yes, there is a little heaven here on earth.
-Col 1:15-20 NIV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Monday, June 17, 2002
Life can change or even end in a twinkling of an eye. Friday night I was stranded in freeway traffic for an hour as two cars had collided and rolled over. There was at least one person killed and the cars looked as if no one could have possibly escaped alive. For those people and there families, there lives were changed in a moment.
Saturday morning I drove to town and came upon an accident on the interstate where one car hit a deer and then served into the other lane of traffic forcing a car off the road that rolled over into a swamp. When I came upon the accident three women were walking up from the swamp covered with black muck from head to foot. They wiped the black muck out of their eyes and had these white circles with the whites of their eyes showing bright. None of them were hurt but naturally they were pretty shook up. After all, one minute they were going down the high way just fine and the next they were upside down in a swamp. Although the muck was terrible it probably also saved their lives as it provided a soft landing.
Anytime we see accidents like this it causes us to think of our own mortality. A wonderful thing about being a Christian is that when death occurs, which can be in a twinkling of an eye, we get a safe, soft landing in eternity. Then and only then will we totally understand what the word “saved” means.
-Eph 2:4-5 NIV
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
Sunday, June 16, 2002
When I was young, I could sleep through anything. The story goes that I woke up one morning completely unaware that a tornado had hit during the night and had taken the pump house and an entire strip of trees in our woods. That all changed when I had children. The slightest movement or noise would have me wide-awake, checking that everything was ok with them.
Just as I became very attuned to the noises my children made, as a Christian I need to become attuned to the voice of my Heavenly Father. In the past year, I have learned a lot about listening to God. He speaks through His word, through music, through sermons, but He also has been showing me things and leading me in ways that I know are meant for me and only me. A very important lesson has come from all of this. I can hear God and not listen to Him. How many times as parents have we had our children say that they heard us, and our response was, “You heard me, but did you listen?” We can hear God and not listen. I have spent almost a year hearing what God was telling me to do and not acting on it. When I finally really listened, I knew I had the choice to listen and obey or to listen and not obey. My prayer for you this day is that you will become attuned to the voice of God and that you will not only hear, but that you will listen and obey.
There is a chorus of an old song that has been running through my mind. I tried to find it but was unable to find it, so will quote only the couple of lines that I can remember.
Speak my Lord, Speak my Lord, speak and I’ll be quick to answer Thee.
Speak my Lord, Speak my Lord, speak and I’ll say here am I send me.
-1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Saturday, June 15, 2002
For a couple of weeks now, I have been dealing with a cracked rib. From my science classes, I always knew the ribs serve an important purpose, like protecting the lungs and heart, but I never really thought too much about them. Now that has changed—I am constantly reminded of the presence of the ribs. I have been told that it will just take time for the rib to heal and in the meantime, I need to be careful.
In the body of Christ there are all sorts of members. Some are very visible and others are not so visible, but all are important. There are times that a member in the body is hurt and it is so easy to tell that person to hurry up and get over it, when what that person really needs is gentle care from the rest of the body, and he/she also needs to know that it is ok to take the needed time to heal. I’m not real sure why we tend to want the hurt members to hurry up and get over the hurt? Maybe it’s because it makes us uncomfortable to deal with the hurting member. I know in the case of my rib, I would much prefer that it would just “get over it” and get back to normal. Life would be so much easier. But it just doesn’t work that way, either in the physical body or in the body of Christ.
Do you know of someone in the body of Christ that is hurting for some reason or another? Give them lots of love, and let them know that it’s ok to take time to heal. Allow God to use you to minister to the hurting member until he/she is completely healed. The entire body will benefit from the loving care given the injured member.
-1 Corinthians 12:25-26
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Friday, June 14, 2002
There is a commercial playing on local radio stations in my area that says “No Money Down.” It repeats this phrase for nearly 30-seconds and then says the phone number of the lending institution that it is promoting. Being a former radio announcer and always listening for good innovative commercials, this one really caught my ears. It’s not flashy or fancy, no big words to confuse, only a simple message, “No Money Down!”
Think of it in Christian terms. Christ paid for our sins with his life, he was the perfect, sinless sacrifice, yet he took all of our past, present and future sins upon him and hung on that cruel tree because of his love for us. What would the dollar value on that be to die for someone, one million, five million, 100-million? How much money down would you need to have to get a loan to pay off what Christ did for you? The answer—“No Money Down!” Christ paid the debt in full! When he said, “It is finished,” it truly was. No more animal sacrificing, no more temple talk, he became the lamb that was slain and the channel between our heavenly father and us. No matter what the sin, if we ask forgiveness—Paid in Full.
So the next time you hear a commercial, or see a banner advertising no money down, tell the Lord thank you that he paid your debt in full—-and he did it all with “No Money Down!”
-Garrett Novak
-John 19:28-30 NIV
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Thursday, June 13, 2002
As I was in the recovery area of Children’s Hospital this week I met a twelve-year-old boy with a great smile. He was roaming the halls pushing a stand with a bag of solution with an IV connected to his arm. I noticed his hair was gone and I assumed he had some type of cancer and was receiving a chemotherapy treatment. He seemed so happy and upbeat that I decided to go over and talk to him.
He told me that he has Leukemia and that today was his final regular treatment. The good news was that now he would be going on a monthly maintenance for the next three years and wouldn’t have to take multiple daily treatments each week. As I looked into his eyes I saw something that I will never forget, pure joy! One might say that the joy was found in having less treatments but the joy I saw in his eyes showed something bigger and greater, the joy of living.
Life is very precious and it is to be experienced with a sense of joy. Too often people go through life encumbered by accumulated bitterness that they have been unable or unwilling to seek forgiveness for. Joy is life and we should be experiencing it in the fullest, wonderful glorious joy.
Too often our churches are providing “ministry of misery” instead of “ministry of joy.” Perhaps our churches should be renamed “Joy Centers” and we would never forget where our strength comes from.
-Neh 8:10 NIV
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Yesterday I sat in Children’s hospital in Minneapolis waiting for my grandson to recover from his surgery. The surgery went really well and his recovery is progressing excellently. However, it was very difficult to see the little guy handed over to the Anesthesiologist and carried into surgery. It reminded me how children are really gifts from God and when we dedicate them to Him, we place them into His hands for care. That becomes very real when they are taken out of the parents hands and placed into the hands of a total stranger. As I fought back the tears I stood amazed at how he had become such a huge part of our lives in such a short time.
We went to the waiting room during the surgery. Finally the doctor came and met with our daughter and her husband telling them that the surgery has went well. Shortly someone came to take them to see him. It seems he was hungry. Then they came to get us. As I walked into the recovery area he was in his mother’s arms. As I bent down to speak to him he smiled at me. I thought, “How can you smile after all this?”
Pondering that smile throughout the day I soon realized that this little guy knows that he is loved by his parents, grandparents and the rest of the family. It reminded me that one of the greatest things in life is to know that we are loved. So if you haven’t told those special people in your life that you love them lately, do it today. They never get tired of hearing it.
And by the way, in case you haven’t heard it lately, GOD LOVES YOU!
-1 John 4:13-16 NIV
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
Today my grandson will have corrective surgery that he has needed from birth. In these nine short months since he was born he has become very much part of our lives. He is such a precious, happy little guy. I know it is going to be hard for me when they wheel him down to the operating room. I wish I could spare him the pain and the experience but I can’t.
There are times that we need some corrective spiritual surgery in our lives. No doubt God would like to spare us the pain but then we would go through life “incorrect!” For our good, God corrects us even in the most painful of circumstances. Why? Because He loves us and knows what is good for us.
We could ignore the surgery for my grandson but it is not what is best for him over his lifetime. I think it is a God thing!
-Heb 12:7-11 NIV
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Monday, June 10, 2002
I found myself rushing off to the office today, barely taking the time to look out over Seekers Bay to see what spectacle the morning brought. I soon realized that jumping out of bed, diving into the shower, dressing, gulping down breakfast and rushing out the door was a way of life for many, many people. What a shame. We benefit greatly when we take the time to reflect.
Reflection is a time when God is able to remind us of His blessings, His desire and His love for us. If we fail to take the time to reflect on God’s blessings, we forget that He does bless us. If we fail to take time to reflect on God’s desire our vision and calling becomes self centered and clouded. If we fail to reflect on God’s love it is easy to allow self-pity, anger, bitterness and other sinful things to harbor in our hearts.
It’s hard to become Christ-like if we fail to reflect on Christ.
-2 Cor 3:12-18 NIV
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Sunday, June 9, 2002
I remember hearing the story about a missionary couple who had to return to the states due to the husband’s failing health after serving on the foreign field for many years. It just happened that when they landed in the US, there was a celebrity on board. The red carpet was laid out with a band playing in welcome for the celebrity, plus many people waiting to catch a glimpse of the famous person who was arriving. For the missionary couple, there was no one waiting for them. The husband started complaining that after many years of faithfully serving God, no one even came to meet them. The wife squeezed her husband’s hand and said, “Remember, we’re not home yet.”
It is very easy to get very comfortable here, but we need to remember that this world is not our home. Many times I am reminded of a Gospel song that says in part—“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” If we could remember that, I think it would change how we look at things. If we would remember where our true home is, would we spend more time, effort and money in preparing for our eternal home than we spend on the things for this short life here on earth?
-Ardis Rivera
-John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
Saturday, June 8, 2002
There seems to be an all out effort today to remove all restraints in society. I don’t watch much television anymore, and the few times I have watched prime time TV, I have been shocked by the subject matter and the language used. I feel it is time to stand up and say we will not tolerate this anymore. I feel that Jesus is seeing the things going on today and the types of things we consider to be entertainment and He is grieved. It is time to decide which side we are on. We cannot straddle the fence any longer, saying we are Christians, bought by the blood of the Lamb and continue to live for the devil. I believe God is looking for people who will stand up for righteousness in a land that is trying to remove Him from all aspects of life. We are told in the Bible that God does not want us to be lukewarm. He wants us to make a decision—who will we serve!!
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 32:36
So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord , come to me.”
-Revelation 3:15-18
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Friday, June 7, 2002
Recently I received an email from someone who said, “Jesus is my best friend.” There is something very wonderful in this statement. Perhaps the writer of the old hymn knew more about what our relationship with Christ can and should be than many realize. In case you missed it, here it is.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Most friends are hard to find but Jesus is only a prayer away!
-Prov 18:24 NIV
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Thursday, June 6, 2002
On the way home the other night I noticed a deer standing by the edge of the road. It was right at dusk and it stood motionless for a moment seeming to listen for traffic and then look both ways. As I approached, it determined that it wasn’t worth the risk of crossing in front of me, turned and went back into the woods. For some reason it reminded me about how people are confronted with the decision about sin.
Often people make a calculated decision of taking the risk of sin. They look at it knowing in their heart it isn’t right and the risk is too great. They ponder it until they rationalize the risk away. Then they jump right into it somehow thinking that they will be unaffected even if things are at their worst. And then, smack, just like a deer running in front of a car they are crippled or even worse by their actions.
When sin is approaching and you are gazing at it, don’t be an idiot! Get out of the way! Sin isn’t the target. You are!
So why did the deer turn instead of jumping our in front of my car? I don’t know. Perhaps deer can’t rationalize!
-James 1:13-15 NIV
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Wednesday, June 5, 2002
As a painting and wallpapering contractor one of the things that I hate to do the most is stripping old wallpaper to prepare to hang the new. Last summer I had a big project and hired some inexperienced help. I carefully instructed them to wet the paper thoroughly, let it soak for a while and then to start removing the paper.
After running a few errands I came back to find them wetting the paper and trying to strip it immediately. They were complaining about how hard it was to make the paper come off the wall and how small the pieces were that they were able to remove. Once again I explained to them how important it was to let the solvent do its work by letting it soak. Properly done the job was completed in less time and with better result.
Too many times in the church we try to strip away the old without the benefit of soaking the new convert in the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Even after the soaking process we must still be careful to let the Lord do the work. It will be done more efficiently and more effectively if He is the one doing it.
-Contributed by John Roe
-Eph 4:20-24 NIV
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Tuesday, June 4, 2002
We must be students of the Word. The Word of God is the one constant in a world of changing values. Its message is the same today as is was fifty or a hundred years ago and its message will be the same for all time. It is only in knowing the Word for ourselves that we can guard against error. In this day of accepting all religions we must know what we believe and why we believe it so that we do not fall prey to false teachings.
-Gal 1:9 NIV
As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
-Contributed by John Roe
Monday, June 3, 2002
Statutes For Summer
Coincidentally, there are ten of them–will help you keep things in proper balance and perspective:
I. I Am the Lord your God, even in summer.
II. You shall enjoy the fairness of creation, remembering always, however, that your Creator is fairer still.
III. You shall go apart and rest awhile until you are refreshed and renewed, heeding the words: Be Still and know that I Am God.
IV. You shall remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy–even in June, July, and August–and not abandon the assembly of believers in worship.
V. You shall enjoy recreation, but not make leisure your God.
VI. You shall not enshrine any idols and forsake your God, whether that idol be a boat, golf clubs, lake cottage or cabin in the mountains, camping out, or some posh resort.
VII. You shall not steal from the Lord your God by spending for recreation and leisure that which is rightfully reserved for the Lord and His work.
VIII. You shall take a vacation from your work, but not from your responsibility to share God’s love with others.
IX. You shall worship the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength even in summer’s heat.
X. You shall take care not to return from your vacation farther from God than when you began it!
Summertime–it really is part of the all things with which God has supplied us for enjoyment (I Timothy 6:17). These statutes will make your summer sweeter than you would ever dream–I promise!
Dr. John Aker
Christ Community Church
Tucson, AZ
http://ccctucson.org/
Sunday, June 2, 2002
Change is one thing on which we can depend. Personally, I do not like change very much. As a matter of fact, I dislike change. If I had my way, I would stay in the same job, community, church and circle of friends for my entire life. However, that is not very realistic. Within the past couple of years, I have experienced numerous changes and more are coming in the near future. What I am trying to learn is that God brings about changes to draw me closer to Him, and to cause me to seek His face and His will. I have also discovered that as I seek His face and desire to do His will, He will effect changes that will bring me into alignment with His will. I would love to know every facet of God’s plans for me, but He chooses to show me one step at a time. While this does not give me a clear plan for my entire life, I can have peace in the midst of all sorts of changes, knowing that my life is in His hands.
-Ardis Rivera
-Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Saturday, June 1, 2002
A week ago today I experienced something I don’t think I have ever experienced before. I was eating with my family who was all up working on house repairs and took a drink of Diet Coke. Immediately, I sensed that it had not gone down right and I knew I was in pain, but thought the pain would soon pass. The next thing I knew was that I was waking up on the floor and I heard my brother calling 911. Once I realized what had happened, I assured everyone that I was ok and got up and tried to start washing dishes. I praise God that the only evidence I have of the entire event is some sore muscles and ribs from the fall. However, I noticed a couple of things from this. First, my son who was there at the time mentioned that they all wondered if I had died, and that death could come very suddenly. I think that many times we think of death as something that will come some day in the far future, but we don’t know which day will be our last on this earth. This is why it is so important to be sure of our relationship with Jesus. When that last breath comes, the only thing that will matter is our relationship with Him. Nothing else will matter. I pray that this experience will give me a renewed desire to tell my lost friends of their need for the Savior.
There is one other thing that has gone through my mind as I have been considering in the past few days. Just as the lack of oxygen in my body caused a drastic reaction, we run the same risk in our spiritual lives by neglecting the very things that will keep the spiritual life vibrant. I know there have been times when I have said that I didn’t have time for prayer and Bible study, only to find that my spiritual life was soon in a very poor state. Sometimes I wish God would give me a drastic sign when my spiritual life starts gasping for breath, but more often, the signs are much more subtle. But they are there. The best thing is to take care that we do not neglect the very things that will help us maintain spiritual health.
-John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
