Friday, May 31, 2002
Many years ago there was a television program called “Kojack.” The star of the show, Teli Savalas, had a favorite saying that was said on nearly all if not all shows, “Who loves you baby?” It was entertaining when it was asked on the show but in real life the question is really quite serious, “Who does love you baby?”
We all have a strong desire to be loved. People have killed others to get love and some have taken their own lives because of the lack of love. Nothing compares with knowing that someone loves you. Perhaps today’s thought is the simple truth that no matter what is going on in your life there is someone who loves you, “God loves you baby!”
-Zeph 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Thursday, May 30th, 2002
It is another beautiful morning on Seekers Bay. As I was eating breakfast there was a sudden rush over the bay and a very large, noisy flock of ducks or geese swooped in squawking. The phone rang and I was unable to immediately check it out and by the time I looked out at the bay they were all gone. It reminds me of how one day Jesus is coming back for the church and when He does it will be quick, unexpected and over in a twinkling of an eye.
It will be too late to get ready after Jesus comes back!
-1 Thess 4:15-5:1 NIV
According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Life seems to be a series of tradeoffs. We are finally having warm weather in Minnesota but the tradeoff is that the weeds are now appearing in Seekers Bay. I don’t like the weeds but I gladly accept them as part of the warm, beautiful summer weather.
As a Christian we have a tradeoff that is rarely mentioned. When we accept Christ we are also accepting His ways. One of His ways is to love others and care for them in a variety of ways. There is a certain level of responsibility here. And in the world we live in today, people are very me oriented making Christianity a great counter culture. When people reject Christ they proclaim their allegiance to themselves and that they are unwilling to trust anyone but themselves for their future or destiny. And, of course, they are unwilling to put themselves under His authority.
When Cain asked God if he was his brother’s keeper, Cain said no but the answer was yes! And God confronted and held Cain accountable for his brother (See Genesis 4). We should not be naive and think that as Christians saved by grace that we free from carrying for and loving other people.
Be a brother (sister) to another even when it is a bother!
-1 John 4:7-12 NIV
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Yesterday I participated in the local Memorial Day Service at the local Cemetery. There were a few hundred people in attendance. As the tributes were given to those veterans who had died this past year I couldn’t help but think of what a contrast this event was from the evening news. I did the pastoral duties, the mayor spoke, the band played four patriotic songs, a local man magnificently sang “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory,” the military honor guard paid their respects and the taps were played. As I looked around the audience I saw tears everywhere. This was a meeting of people who understood and cared.
On the evening news we hear mostly about crimes violence and corruption. Drive by shootings is becoming old news and suspicious fires at two historic churches in our state are replacing their headlines. Good news is hard to find.
And good news is not found on the lottery announcements. Oh, I guess it is for one in a zillion! Good news is not found at the casino. Last night someone told me that the casinos were full of losers! And you won’t find much good news in the local newspaper. So, where do we find good news?
We find good news in our local churches that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. One Sunday in church will do you more good for someone than a lifetime of sitting in front of the television waiting for the lottery numbers to be announced or a lifetime of sitting at the casino playing games that are programmed for you to lose! And yet, there are millions and millions of people who spend more time doing these other things than they spend with the Lord or attending a local church.
You have to seek and go to good news. It usually doesn’t find you in this world!
-Acts 13:32-41 NIV
“We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
“‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’
34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words:
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
35 So it is stated elsewhere:
“‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’
36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'”
Monday, May 27, 2002
Today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who have died in the service of our country. Even now, I can vividly remember the horror that swept through our small community when two of “our boys” were killed in Vietnam. There were differences of opinion regarding whether or not we needed to be involved in that conflict, but the fact remained that two young men gave their lives for our country and to insure our freedom.
We are again engaged in war, and we can ask what does it mean? We are fighting to defend our freedoms and, after September 11, we realize we have to protect ourselves against a very real threat of terrorism that can hit us within our borders. In this fight, some will have to give their lives. This is the day we take to honor them and it is fitting to honor these people that have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in a free country.
There is one other that died to give us freedom and on this Memorial Day, let us take time to remember His sacrifice for us. Our soldiers fight to give us a fleeting, short-lived freedom, which could be taken away in a moment by a power-hungry leader. But Jesus fought the ultimate battle for your soul and mine and died to give us a freedom that the world will never understand, and no one can take this freedom away from us. I can only imagine what the horrors of war are, but I also know that I cannot fathom the excruciating agony that my Savior suffered on the cross for me and for every other person on earth. And He not only suffered physically, He experienced a separation from His Father when He took our sins on Himself. He suffered on the cross alone, so that you and I never have to go through this life alone.
So, let us honor those who have fought for us in wars throughout our country’s history, but let us also remember and honor and bow our knees before the One who died to give us eternal life.
-Ardis Rivera
-Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me
-Phil 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Sunday, May 26, 2002
It seems that each day I hear of something that makes me wonder how God can allow things to go on without saying “Enough”. If the way people treat God and talk about Him bothers me, I can’t imagine what God feels. I guess the closest I could come to understanding how God must feel at times would be to think of how I would feel if one of my children cursed my name, and pretended that I didn’t even exist. Then there is the utter cruelty that we see in how people treat others. The great thing is that God is so loving that He is patient and willing to give people time to come to Him.
If I were to spend my time thinking only about the evil that is seen everywhere today, it would be easy to lose all hope. But my hope is not in this world. My hope is not in the politicians. My hope is in the God that created the world. The Bible tells us not to worry about the evildoers. God will deal with them. My job is to delight in God. I don’t know that I really understand how to delight in Him, but I am working on it. I do know that when I put my focus on Him, I am less concerned about what goes on around me, because ultimately He is in control and He will deal with the ones that insist on doing evil.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 37:1-4
Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Saturday, May 25, 2002
Jesus gave us the parable of the talents and many times we look at this parable and feel He is speaking about money. I realize that the talent was a unit of money in Biblical times, but I do feel that He was referring to a lot more. Our Heavenly Father has given each of us certain abilities, strengths and talents. What we do with them, if anything, is our choice.
Personally I have always struggled in this area. I have always felt that I had nothing to offer God. However, in the past few years, God has opened doors for me, and I started playing with the Praise Team at the church I was then attending. God used those people to challenge me both musically and spiritually. There was one other love in my life and recently, God has opened doors for me to use that for His glory, and that is the love I have of Foreign Languages, most specifically Spanish. I have been utterly amazed how God has opened the doors for me to take a couple of things that I love and to be able to use them in ministry.
I know there are people that feel that they have no talents that God can use. But I firmly believe that everyone has a God-given talent that He expects to be used. If you are one of these that feel you have nothing to offer, I would suggest that you seek God and ask Him to show you exactly what your gifts and abilities are. There is a good way to discover what your talents are. Ask yourself–what is it that gets me excited–what is my passion? Maybe you are an expert at cleaning, at organizational skills, at cooking, at childcare, or at repairing things. These are all things that can be used for the glory of God.
Once you have an idea of what your gifts are, talk to your pastor. I doubt there is a pastor out there that would not love to hear that someone is willing to step up and try something new. And, I know that if you step out and find you are really not gifted in some area, God will bless you for trying.
By the way, there seems to be one misconception that I have come across in the past couple of years. Some people feel that when God gives a talent, it is something that comes easily and they don’t have to work for it. It wasn’t that way for me. I spent long hours practicing the piano, and more long hours learning the languages. But of all the things that I have studied, these were the two things that I didn’t really mind studying, at least most of the time. And the funny thing is that once you start using your talents for God, He will take the bit that you offer and increase it. It amazes me to look back at where I was a couple of years ago, and where God has me now. It also makes me wonder where I would be if I had said I didn’t want to use these God-given abilities in His kingdom. I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that I am amazed and awed at how God has used me and would not want to give that up for anything.
My hope is that when Jesus returns I will hear Him say that I took what He gave me and was faithful to use it for His glory.
-Matthew 24:45-46
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Friday, May 24, 2002
“Look at the men and women in the Bible God used for marvelous and life-changing moments. He took their weaknesses and moments of complete uselessness and turned them upside-down. You may as well give up on your excuses right now!
Moses stuttered.
David was too young.
Abraham was too old.
Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.
Ruth didn’t belong.
Amos’s only training was in fig-tree pruning.
Obadiah was too obscure.
Job was going through way too much.
Naomi was a widow.
Rahab had a reputation.
Solomon was too rich.
Jonah ran from God.
Jeremiah was depressed.
Elijah was burned-out.
Samson had long hair.
David’s armor didn’t fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Moses was a murderer. So was Paul.
Matthew was a disliked publican.
Timothy had ulcers.
Thomas doubted.
Mary was lazy.
Peter was afraid of death.
Martha was a worrywart.
John the Baptist was a wild man.
and Lazarus was dead.
God will use us in spite of who we are. And in the process he’ll change us into who he created us to be.”
(Quoted from an unknown book source)
-Contributed by Venni Schmidt
Thursday, May 23, 2002
I have heard it said and I have often said it myself, “If only one person is saved it will have been worth it.” This is often reflected after a crusade, special meetings or other ministry efforts. My heart for this ministry truly has been that. But I also desire to do more as I hunger and thirst for righteousness and, knowing the peace that God has given me, I desire to share it with others.
I have always understood that we may not see or understand the totality of our ministries. And it is probably good for us not to see it. Pride easily takes over and has caused the fall of many great men and women of God. It was impressed upon me years ago after reading Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe;” (KJV) that if signs of our lives and ministries follow us they are very hard to see unless we are looking back. And it’s impossible to look back and follow Jesus at the same time. Therefore, we should all be content and grateful that we have the privilege to serve the Almighty. But we are also all human.
From time to time we need a positive glimpse of what God is doing through our ministry efforts. Yesterday I received the following letter that has brought tears of joy to my heart and eyes. This is the kind of extended outreach that the ChurchMouse Chronicles was meant to be. If there were no one else receiving or reading the “Thought For The Day” except for this dear friend, it would be worth it. Her love and concern for those in prison has renewed my spirit and served as a reminder to me that we are not in ministry for results or recognition but rather to serve, serve, serve.
The names have been taken out but the remaining text is the same.
“I just wanted to send you a little encouragement after your ministry update this morning. I have been enjoying your wonderful e-mail ministry for a couple of years now. Each day I am brightened and encouraged by the words I read, and there are many days when I believe God is speaking to
my heart directly through you. But it does not stop there, and this is where I wish to encourage you. For the past two years I have been printing and mailing your wonderful little encouragements to my boyfriend who was doing a life sentence in prison (he is Christian). He would share the poems and words of wisdom with the brothers in the church, and type them up on a disc to save. Many times the brothers would come over and ask him for the “poem disc” to include something in their letters or sermons.
In January this year, by the grace of God and a true miracle, He came home after 19-1/2 years in prison. It has been such a blessing to see how God has worked in his life. Since he has been home, though, I have continued to write to the brothers in the prison church through one person, and yes, I am still printing and mailing your e-mail wisdoms to them to continue sharing and encouraging with all the brothers. So, you see, what you share each and every day goes well beyond just me forwarding things to my e-mail friends – you have a whole ministry you never knew about! One that is truly needed as these men need encouragement and love as they continue to try to reach the unsaved on the inside. Keep up the good work for God – He does work in mysterious ways!”
In Christ,
It’s probably a good time right now to pause, bow your head and pray for this man recently released from prison that he will be strong and faithful unto the Lord in this transition. And pray also for the writer of this letter that she too will be strengthened and blessed. And pray that God will be near the men in prison whom she is sharing this ministry with, that God will wrap His loving arms around them and remind them that they will never be forgotten by Him… or the church.
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
1. The best way to get even is to forget…
2. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death…
3. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts…
4. Some folks wear their halos much too tight…
5. Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL
have to be maintained on earth…
6. Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days,
then perhaps giving “advice” to God, isn’t such a good
idea!.
7. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith
looks up…
8. Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You
will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.
9. Words are windows to the heart.
10. A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the
handwriting on the wall, claims it’s a forgery.
11. It isn’t difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill
just add a little dirt.
12. A successful marriage isn’t finding the right
person-it’s being the right person.
13. The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its
ground.
14. Too many people offer God prayers, with claw marks
all over them.
15. The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few
people can hold it.
16. To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then
discover the prisoner was you.
17. You have to wonder about humans, they think God is
dead and Elvis is alive!
18. It’s all right to sit on your pitty pot every now and
again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. You’ll notice that a turtle only makes progress when
it sticks out its neck…
20. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,
you can bet the water bill is higher.
-Contributed by
Vinesh Badiani,
Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
A little boy walked to and from school daily. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, he made his daily trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning.
The mother of the little boy felt concerned that her son would be frightened as he walked home from school and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child.
Following the roar of thunder, lightning would cut through the sky like a flaming sword.
Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child’s school. As she did so, she saw her little boy walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile. Another and another were to follow quickly and with each the little boy would look at the streak of light and smile.
When the mother’s car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to him, “What are you doing? Why do you keep stopping?”
The child answered, “I am trying to look nice. God keeps taking my picture.”
-contributed by Beverly Luckow
Monday, May 20, 2002
Quotes by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered
Forgive them anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives
Be kind anyway
If you are successful you will win false friends and make some enemies
Succeed anyway
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you
Be honest and frank anyway
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight
Build anyway
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous
Be happy anyway
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow
Do good anyway
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough
Give the world your best anyway
You see in the final analysis it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway
-Contributed By martin Wishnatsky
Sunday, May 19, 2002
When I was growing up way back when, I can just barely remember having the teacher lead us in prayer in the little country school where I was a student. Within a couple of years of starting in school, it became illegal to do that, and of course, I was too young to really think what it meant. It also seemed way back then that everyone that I knew went to church. I do remember when a family moved into our neighborhood, and the shock that we all felt when we learned that this family did not go to church. Now I don’t know where these families stood with the Lord, but it seemed that most families did make the effort to attend church. I even remember when teachers were told not to give out homework on Wednesdays because it was “Church Night”. I sense that times have changed. (Now is that an understatement or what?)
I know of several people that probably never go to church, and I know of more that go to church, but attending church is just something they feel obligated to do, and it is obvious that they find no joy in attending church. That makes me wonder if they have met the One that the church is supposed to be proclaiming because I have a feeling that anyone who truly meets Jesus Christ will not find Him to be boring. In the past year the Lord has renewed something in me and I start hurting for those who don’t know the Lord, and I am willing to do the Missions Trips to spread the Gospel and would be ready to go as a full-time missionary if God opened the door. However, He has reminded me that there are lost people all around me and has asked me that if I am willing to go thousands of miles to reach the unchurched people, would I be willing to go next door? When Jesus gave the great commission to the disciples, I noticed one thing that I have overlooked. He told them they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the world. He didn’t tell them to leave their hometowns without the good news and only to go to the ends of the earth. They were to reach their friends and neighbors, too and that can be much more difficult than going to strangers.
As you go to church today, think of all the people around you that still need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and start looking for ways to reach out to them.
-Acts 1:8
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.”
-Guest Writer
Ardis Rivera
Saturday, May 18, 2002
Today is one of my children’s college graduations. Time does pass very quickly. It seems like it was just yesterday that I had 4 children under feet all the time, and I longed for a few minutes alone. Now they are all gone. As I look back over the past, I won’t say how many years, I realize that the best thing I could have ever done for my children is to teach them about Jesus. In the long run, it is much more important for them to follow in His way than any other thing. They could each have varied jobs/careers throughout their lives, but if they have Jesus in their lives, I know that He will never fail them. As we all are probably being invited to graduations in the next few weeks, let us hold these graduates up in prayer and ask that God will pour out His blessings on them. I can think of no better graduation gift for any graduate (or for any of us, for that matter) than to have God’s blessing poured out.
-Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
-Guest Writer
Ardis Rivera
Friday, May 17, 2002
Funny thing about life, it happens!
Yesterday I had to do one of the least favorite jobs, putting the mower deck on. Because I do it only once a year there is always some question in regard to how it fits. But, with a little frustration, I usually get it on okay.
Yesterday I got it on only to discover that I had the belt on wrong. It was rubbing against a bracket so I took it apart and put it back on correctly. Then I started mowing and after about two rounds I heard a snap. I turned, looked and there was the belt lying behind me. End of mowing for the evening!
Instead of being angry I caught myself smiling at myself. I knew that the belt was in its 9th year and should have been replaced. In fact, I thought about replacing it as I was putting it together. But I decided to put it off and try to squeeze one more season out of it.
Many times people try to do the same thing in their spiritual lives. Instead of maintaining their spiritual lives to prevent breakdowns they just try to keep getting another season out of their present condition. As with my lawnmower, they just become stalled.
If we don’t have the money or the wherewithal to fix the lawnmower, the grass will grow wild and become a field, then an area of brush, then seedlings and eventually woods with large trees. To restore the yard to mow it again will require great amounts of work and expense.
So it is with our spiritual lives. The longer we leave it unattended, unmaintained and allowed to grow wild the more difficult it is to bring it back to the place of the well groomed yard.
Wisdom for today… Keep your spiritual yard well maintained!
-Job 27:6 NIV
I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
Thursday, May 16, 2002
It is really nice to see the sun glitter off Seekers Bay this morning. We have had days and days of rain and clouds in Minnesota. It is a good reminder that life is also like that from time to time. The clouds seem to gather and it seems as if the sun has forgotten how to shine. Then suddenly, God brings a new day and the warm rays of His blessing flow.
It is important for us to reflect upon our blessings. Too often we take them for granted only to struggle with disappointment or bitterness when those cloudy days come, and they will come. He continues to bless us even in the cloudy times of life but it is up to us to remember and reflect. God’s blessings are never ceasing. As sure as we continue to be breathe in good and bad weather, so God continues to bless us in all seasons of life.
-Ps 112:6-7 NIV
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
On my recent trip to Southern California with my daughter to look at the graduate school where she will be attending, we took time to look for apartments and other things in the area that were important to her. We also looked for nearby churches that would be of a familiar denomination. Of the five or six evangelical denominations that I am most familiar with and comfortable with doctrinally, we found none in the connecting communities to where she will be living. I was somewhat taken back because this is a thriving LA suburb that I would assume would be well churched. The truth is we saw few churches. When we inquired at a Christian bookstore we received a church directory. When I looked at the church directory my first response was, “This place is certainly not over churched!”
I have often said that the denominations need to re-identify or re-invent themselves in this day in age. Many denominations are working hard at trying to do that but it is a long hard process. I have often personally wondered if the denominations have outlived their usefulness or effectiveness in this day of information, communication and high-speed travel. But I can tell you this, I would have felt a lot better last weekend if I knew there was a church close by that had a name that meant something and made it recognizable to me with a denomination that I knew and trusted.
So, considering this, perhaps the need for the denominations is more important than ever in this transient society in which we live. McDonalds has proven to be quite successful serving the same hamburger everywhere. The denominations need to be encouraged to continue serving the same trusted spiritual food in all their locations and continue to plant new churches. And as a father who wants only the best for his daughter, I surely would have liked to have seen some churches that had some recognizable names with Alliance, Baptist, Wesleyan, Free Methodist, Nazarene, Evangelical Free, Assembly of God or some others in them. Could it be that generic named churches may soon become a trend of the 1900’s?
-Ps 100:5 NIV
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Monday, May 13, 2002
This past weekend I was in Southern California. It had been awhile since I had been there and some things were the same and others had changed. As soon as I landed in Orange County I immediately headed to Anaheim to eat lunch at my favorite restaurant in the world, Belisles. It is located just down the street from the Crystal Cathedral. As I drove up I momentarily thought that I was on the wrong street because there was a new steakhouse where Belisles was supposed to be! Yes, Belisles was no more! It had given up to change. What a disappointment!
So it is with the church. As our culture changes, change in the church is inevitable. But change isn’t always good. Some things are better off left as they are. To change just for the sake of change is a tragic mistake in many of our churches. We must be careful not to “throw the baby out with the bath water!”
By the way, no other restaurant could ever replace Belisles. And certainly the new steakhouse couldn’t have more business because the sign out front of Belisles said, “Five Out Of Four People Eat Here!”
-Eph 1:22-23 NIV
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Sunday, May 12, 2002
The prayer of Jabez has been promoted in every way lately. I have to admit that I was not very impressed at first–I felt it was kind of self-centered to simply ask God to bless me and enlarge my borders. I guess all I saw at first was that by praying this I was saying that I simply wanted more things from God. However, there has to be a reason that in the long list of names given that the writer stops and mentions this prayer. I don’t believe the writer would have stopped to mention a selfish prayer. So now I am beginning to see it a little differently. I truly believe that God wants to bless us and to give us more than we could imagine, but He truly honors the heart that seeks to do His will and to further His kingdom more than seeking to enlarge our own earthly kingdom. Now when I think of the prayer of Jabez, I think that I need to ask God to bless me so that I can bless others and to bring others into the kingdom of God. What greater blessing can there be than seeing people come to the Lord and get saved. As we are faithful to Him, He will also be faithful to us. And when we put His Kingdom before anything else. He will pour out His blessings on us.
-1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
One last thought–note the last line of the verse. That is our Heavenly Father’s heart for us.
Guest Writer
Ardis Rivera
Saturday, May 11, 2002
Sometimes God uses some strange things to teach me lessons that I need to learn. This one lesson came from my cat. Dali tends to like to be near me whenever he knows I’m around. Sometimes he is content to sit at my feet or at my side, but there are times when he insists on getting right up to my face, and he will lay so he can feel my heart beating and he puts his face right up to mine and stares at me. It doesn’t matter if I’m reading or occupied in any way–he will knock things out of my hands to get close to me. I can try to push him away, but it doesn’t seem to deter him. He does whatever is necessary to be as close to me as he can get. I’ve also noticed that he pays no attention to anything or anyone else at these times.
One morning (as I was trying to get the cat away from me) I sensed God saying that He would love to have me be like the cat–wanting to throw aside all concerns about what others may think or any ideas that I am too busy–just to get as close to him as I possibly can get. These are the times when I just need to draw close to him, gaze into His face and feel His heart beating with love for me. And guess what–my Heavenly Father will never think I’m a pest and will never push me away. As a matter of fact, He is waiting for me to come to Him, rest in Him and gaze on His face.
There’s one other thing my cat taught me–He doesn’t come close to me to get a treat (at least he has never been given one.) Think of the joy it brings our heavenly Father when we take the time to just be with Him, not expecting a material blessing for our effort. Realistically, spending time in His glorious presence is the best blessing of all anyway.
-Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Guest Writer
Ardis Rivera
Friday, May 10, 2002
Critics are my friends. They always enlighten me. Sometimes they enlighten me with my shortcomings and other times they enlighten me with theirs!
When God critiques us, we are always enlightened by the distance we live from Him!
-Isa 40:25-26 NIV
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Thursday, May 9, 2002
Pride is a weight that hangs on people’s hearts. It prevents them from taking risk and brings in floods of fear. Often it prevents people from doing the right thing. But always, when present, pride stands between God and us!
-Prov 25:14 NIV
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.
Wednesday, May 8, 2002
One of the beauties of Seekers Bay is that even when the weather is terrible outside, there is always something beautiful about looking out across the bay and seeing nature at work. This morning the wind and the rain were whipping across the water but the bay looked majestic and strong, like it could withstand almost anything. Out on the lake itself the wind twirls uncontrollably but the bay provides shelter during the storms.
Today the bay reminds me of the power and the strength of God. How no matter what storms of life blow into our lives God is there for us and He is our strength. And He is our shelter in the time of storms!
-Ps 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Tuesday, May 7, 2002
From time to time everyone wonders what impact their life makes, if any, on other people. Perhaps we were never meant to count results and should only concentrate on our effort!
-1 Peter 1:22-23 NIV
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Monday, May 6, 2002
We have all heard it said, “When the going gets tough the tough get going!” But sometimes being tough gets one nowhere. If you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you want to give up, don’t! Instead of giving up, look up! The more you look towards God the lighter the weight becomes.
-Matt 11:28-30 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sunday, May 5, 2002
Sacrifice is a word we don’t like to hear today. No one likes the idea of sacrifice and yet as Christians, we are called to forsake all to follow Christ. How many people who say they are Christians won’t give up their pleasures to go to church or to study the Bible. How much are we willing to forsake to follow Christ?
I have often wondered what went through the minds of the disciples when Jesus called them to leave everything to follow Him. The Bible doesn’t tell us much, only that they left everything to follow Him. Did they question what it would cost them? Sometimes I wonder how I would have reacted. Would I have asked for a document outlining the wages, benefits and retirement package before following Him or would I have abandoned everything to follow without a question?
The question still arises: What are you willing to sacrifice to follow Christ? What are you NOT willing to sacrifice to follow Christ? This may be a good time to seek God and see if there is anything that you cannot completely give up to God.
-Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.
Guest Writer
Ardis Rivera
Saturday, May 4, 2002
We live in a culture filled with a love for celebrities. Companies spend large amounts of money searching out and hiring just the right celebrity–one they feel will make us want to buy their product. The mentality seems to be that if a celebrity says that something is good, it must be good and we will spend our money on it, possibly whether or not we need it the product. Many people spend a good amount of money trying to dress like a certain celebrity, or to have our hair done just like that one we want to imitate.
Unfortunately, the celebrity craze has come into the Christian community and church. I have read Christian magazines where there are full page ads for conferences, with a long list of high-profile speakers. These conferences may be excellent and can help us immensely in our Christian walk. However, we need to be very careful–who are we trying to imitate. Do we want to be like the speaker, or do we want to be like the One of whom he speaks. When we go to a concert, do we want to imitate the musician, or the subject of the song? We need to remember that no matter how great the speaker or musician, he/she is a person like you and me, and cannot promise to never disappoint you or leave you disillusioned. Let us be thankful that God has blessed us with so many great speakers, musicians, but let us also be careful to remember Who we serve and Who we are called to imitate. I remember vividly a statement made by a well-known Christian singer. As people were applauding after one of his songs, he joined in the applause and said to applaud for Jesus, because no Christian musician ever died for our sins–and to worship and praise the One who is Worthy of all our praise and adoration.
-Heb 12:1-3 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Guest Writer
-Ardis Rivera
Friday, May 3, 2002
Christians often expect a lot out of one another when it comes to carrying on the work of the church. In fact, it is not so unusual for Christians to expect more from others than they are doing or could possibly do themselves. The new millennium lifestyle that we live has definitely had an impact on volunteerism in the church. Therefore, it is easier than ever to think that someone else should be doing more. Unfortunately, as people individually scope the congregation to see who should have time to do more the guilt is spread quite thoroughly throughout the congregation. The answer is the same as it has always been; every one must do their part. As people use their gift and carry on a small role in the church the work gets done, the guilt is removed and people find fulfillment in doing his or her part.
Unfortunately, in many churches the old 90/10 Rule still applies: 10% of the people do 90% of the work.
So, if you are unsatisfied with your church workload or you think the work isn’t getting done, try bringing the 1/1 Rule into existence: 1% of the people do 1% of the work.
-Rom 12:6-12 NIV
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Thursday, May 2, 2002
As the ducks swim on Seekers Bay this morning they seem oblivious to the problems of the Middle East. In fact, they don’t appear to have a care in the world. They dive for food and frolic as the sun glistens off the water. Quite a different site than I saw yesterday.
As I pulled into a convenience store on my way home I saw a man whose face was white. At first it appeared that he had a cream on his face. But as I walked closer to him I was quite taken back by what I saw. His face was covered with some type of skin disease. At first glance the only thing that came to my mind was leprosy. I have never seen anything like this before. My second thought was that this man is suffering and I wish there was something that I could do for him. Then I realized that there was. When I got in my car I paused for a moment and prayed for him.
This man’s condition was very obvious and easy to see. But for many people, their condition is hidden and they suffer alone. This should not be. We need other people to care for us. It is important in life that we have those around us that we can share our hearts with. These are special people that we can be totally transparent with and tell them our innermost thoughts and feelings. We call these people trusted friends.
If you are married they are called husbands or wives!
-Job 16:20-21 NIV
My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; 21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
Wednesday, May 1, 2002
Faithfulness is a word that we use often to describe committed Christians. However, sometimes in our own lives, we have confused faithfulness with survival. The Christian life is not about just getting by until Jesus comes. The Christian life is about victorious faithfulness always pushing onward for the cause of Christ in the world in which we live and in our own lives. So the next time you describe someone who is experiencing and sharing the love of God perhaps call them “Victoriously Faithful!”
-Ps 97:10-12 NIV
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
