Romans 8:1-39 – No Condemnation

In verse 15 of this passage we are told, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (underlining/italicizing mine).  Some translations use the word sonship instead of adoption, but adoption really gets to the heart of the matter.  The ancient world would have been very familiar with adoption.  Findings have shown examples of adoption from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and ancient Jewish sources.  Free men were allowed to adopt others – either individuals or complete families.

The individual or family would come with the man adopting them before a governor to make the arrangement legally binding.  It was common at this adoption event to also draw up a new will to include those who were being adopted.  You see, someone being adopted in this time gained familial ties by changing their last names and gaining relatives, but they also gained inheritance rights.

By adopting someone, the old was gone – the old name, the old rank and status, the old family ties were all gone.  The individual or family no longer belonged to the previous family, they were now part of something new.

In the body of Christ, when we are born again and become adopted into Jesus’ family, the old ties are gone.  We no longer belong to the world – or to ourselves.  We now belong to God and His family.  Our old rank and status as sinner, liar, adulterer, coveter…all titles are gone.  We are all of equal status as children of Christ – none is better than any other.  We all have the same “last name,” we all have the same Abba Father, we all have the same inheritance (eternal life).

You are a new creation in Christ – you have been born again – you now belong to Someone amazingly great! – and as for your inheritance?  Everything that He has is yours!  Think about it…how cool is that?

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Acts 8:26-40 – May I Be Baptized?

Yesterday, in Sunday worship, we looked at Matthew 13:1-58.  We talked about the many different parables Jesus taught and what lessons we can glean from them.  We talked about the Parable of the Sower and how he spread the seed on all kinds of ground – the path, where it was rocky, where there were thorns, and on good soil.  He was doing his job – spreading seed.  God then takes it from there and produces a harvest – up to a hundredfold of what was sown!

We also talked about how Christian life is one of sacrifice.  We need to have ears to hear – seeking God through Bible reading and study and through prayer.  We talked about how Jesus had to sacrifice not only His time, but also his community.

In our passage today, it seems Philip has learned these lessons.  Philip heard the Spirit speak.  Philip had spent enough time in prayer and in the Scripture, that he was able to discern what the Spirit was saying and he decided to sacrifice his time and follow the Spirit’s leading.  Philip could have gone along with his day, ignoring the promptings of God.  Philip could have convinced himself it wasn’t really God – it was just his imagination.  But no – Philip knew the voice of God and he was willing to upset his schedule for Him.

Philip was also willing to sow seed in a wide way, sharing “the good news about Jesus” with the eunuch.  This man was from Ethiopia, a Gentile.  Philip could have rejected him, saying he wasn’t fit for what he was reading; but Philip spread seed on all kinds of soil – allowing God to grow the harvest.

Are you willing to let God rearrange your schedule today?  If He prompts you to do something unplanned, are you willing to take a detour for Him?  The Christian life requires sacrifice.

Are you biased when sharing your faith?  Do you only share your faith with those who you think “are ready,” aka “good soil?”  Or are you spreading seed everywhere you go – allowing God to grow the harvest?

We need to share our faith, our story, our God with everyone!  We never know when someone, like the eunuch, is ready to make a commitment to Jesus.  If we aren’t willing to sacrifice, we might miss the harvest!!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Luke 10:25-37 – What Must I Do?

In today’s culture it seems the majority of people only do the minimum to get by.  At work we only do the tasks that are assigned to us.  Stepping up and helping others?  Well, that’s “not my job.”  Young people in school seem to be there more for socializing and less for learning…only completing enough work to pass the class.

In today’s passage, the expert in the law seems to be asking what is the minimum I need to do in order to inherit eternal life.  The expert already knows the answer, but is looking for an explanation of what it means to love God and love you neighbor.  Who is my neighbor?  Maybe he was hoping Jesus was going to say, “those who live on either side of you – those are the only ones you need to love.”  Or maybe, “those in your same social class – those are the only ones you need to love.”  But Jesus tells a story of how we are to go above and beyond, going out of our way to help those around us.

We need to go through our day with our eyes wide open.  Instead of keeping our head down and not noticing the needs around us, we need to be aware of how we can be Jesus to those around us.  In being different than our culture, people will begin to wonder why – and this may lead to conversations about faith and salvation.  Our being aware of the needs of others may become life and death situations…the eternal life or death of those around us.

Go today – and Love God and Love People…God will do the rest.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Proverbs 16:1-18:24 – Commit Your Work to the Lord

Proverbs are great little nuggets of wisdom.  Some are so profound while others are very simple reminders of how to best behave.  An area that the Proverbs often speak pertains to the tongue.  Something I think many of us fall into, oftentimes unintentionally, is misusing our words.  Sometimes we say things to others without thinking and end up hurting someone’s feelings.  Other times we find ourselves sharing someone else’s news or sharing what someone else has said to us with others.  In our “sharing” we are actually gossiping.  In updating our friends and family about other friends and family, we are gossiping.  In telling (or complaining to) a third party how we feel about someone who is not there, is actually gossiping.

I love 18:6, “A fools’ lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”  What we say has consequences.  Speaking negatively about someone who isn’t there encourages others to change their opinion about that person…or it may alter their opinion about you!

We all need to do a better job of checking ourselves when we speak.  If we are telling a story that includes others not present, either we need to tell the story about “a friend” and not include their identity or maybe we shouldn’t be telling the story at all!

Just like James tells us – we need to be quick to listen and slow to speak (1:19).

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd

When I was young, this Psalm confused me.  The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.  Why wouldn’t we want the Lord to shepherd us?  I knew this Psalm was often said at funerals, so maybe the psalmist didn’t want to die?  I didn’t know – I was confused.  Everyone else seemed ok with it, so I never asked.  One day, I read this passage in the NIV, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  Suddenly it clicked.  When the Lord is our shepherd, we are well taken care of – we will want for nothing!

This Psalm encourages us to have confidence in the Lord’s care for us.  First it describes the image of a shepherd caring for his sheep.  He provides for our needs, guides us, and protects us.  Then the psalmist describes an image of a host caring for his guests.  He again provides for us, offers us His grace and mercy, and invites us to be in relationship with Him all the days of our lives.

Enjoy His presence today.  Enjoy His provision and care.  Praise Him for all the blessings He lavishes upon us!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

1 Kings 2:1-3:28 – Give Your Servant an Understanding Mind

I do not enjoy cleaning.  I’m trying to do a better job of taking care of things as we go so “drastic” cleaning is not necessary when we expect company.  It’s not that I mind the physical act of cleaning, I just always feel like there is something else I should be doing.  And then there is “the pile.”  The mail and other stuff I have that I’m not quite ready to get rid of, but not exactly sure what I should do with – all ends up in a pile.  And in my own defense, oftentimes throughout my week I return to my pile to find something I need.  But when I clean, decisions have to be made.

In our passage today, Solomon is begins his reign as King with some cleaning.  He gets rid of some things that have been lingering and causing problems.  He wipes the slate clean by eliminating some situations that threaten the order of his kingdom.  He starts his rule fresh.

Sometimes in our own lives we need to do a little cleaning.  Maybe its physical cleaning, but we also need emotional and spiritual cleaning.  Now, I know we oftentimes feel like there are better things we need to be doing, but this is essential!  Maybe we’ve been hanging on to something that is lingering and causing problems.  Maybe a person needs to be thrown out of our lives in order to restore order.  Maybe we need to deal with a situation or two instead of ignoring it, hoping it will go away on its own.  We need to evaluate our lives just as Solomon had to evaluate his kingdom – and then we need to develop a plan of action.

Take time today to evaluate your life, how you are spending your time, who you are spending time with, what are you avoiding, and what should you let go of?  It’s time to do some cleaning!!  If not, you won’t lose a kingdom, but your life may be destroyed.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 – You Are the Man!

Why is it we are so quick to judge others while we are lenient with ourselves?  We are able to make excuses for ourselves, justifying our actions and behaviors.  When we knowingly do something wrong, we come up with reasons as to why it’s not so bad…at least we aren’t hurting anyone else.  But oftentimes we are.

Life is filled with cause and effect.  When we do something that isn’t quite on the up-and-up we have to cover up.  Maybe misleading someone here or omitting some information there…at least we’re not lying – because that would be wrong.  This deception grows and grows until it’s out of control.  But if someone else did the same thing? We would be horrified by their behavior.

From the beginning of today’s passage, David was tangled in a web of sin of his own making.  In the spring, when kings go off to war, King David didn’t go.  Instead, he sent someone else.  Instead of going and doing what he was supposed to, he sent Joab with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.  Instead of leading his people, he was lounging around Jerusalem.  Truly the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” apply here (this saying is often credited to St. Jerome or Chaucer).

First, David takes another man’s wife and she becomes pregnant.  Instead of confessing his sin, he calls for her husband, Uriah, but he sleeps with the servants.  Now here is an upright man, doing what is right.  David isn’t convicted of his sin, instead, he decides to get Uriah drunk – surely then he will stay with his wife.  But no.  Even in a drunken state, Uriah does what is right.  David still doesn’t confess.

So now, David is lazy, avoids responsibility, an adulterer, a liar, and a deceit.  And now, he adds murderer.  This spiral of sin has grown out of control.  But when Nathan comes and confronts David with his story, David is very quick to judge another for a similar wrong.  Sometimes we are harshest with those who struggle in the same areas we do.  Instead of developing a compassionate understanding, we comfort ourselves knowing that “we aren’t as bad as                              .”

The lesson here is just do what you are supposed to do!  Seek God and follow Him.  Then you won’t have time to “play with fire.”  There are consequences to your actions, but confess and repent before things get worse!  Your sins will be taken away – even David’s sins were taken away (11:13b), but the repercussions of your sin will remain.  And have compassion for others who struggle with sin.  We need to lovingly correct one another – not condemn one another.  Though we are not called to turn away and ignore the sin either.

God loves you so much!  I’m praying for you J

Pastor Amy

1 Samuel 8:1-10:27 – Long Live the King!

I was thinking about this passage the other day – especially the part where God says in 8:7, “it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”  I get really sad when people reject Christianity.  Maybe I have shared my faith with them and it doesn’t make an impact or people who have been in the church for a long time decide to turn away.  Experiencing this rejection can take its toll; almost to the point of not wanting to share my faith with others for fear of rejection.

Then I remember that when people reject the message I share, they are not rejecting me.  They are rejecting Jesus.  They are rejecting the gift He has for them.  I’m just informing others about this free gift of love, this free gift of grace, this free gift of salvation.  It is their choice whether or not to accept.  It’s like telling everyone you know about a restaurant down the street that is giving out free meals.  They’re tasty, they’re filling, and they’re free!  If the people you tell decide not to go get their free meal, they’re rejecting the food – not you.

I know our faith is much more important and much more personal, but the same principle applies.  We must continue sharing our faith, sharing our Jesus with others – even when others don’t listen.  They aren’t rejecting the messenger, they are rejecting the Message.  So we must continue sharing.  If we don’t, that person who just rejected Jesus may never hear the message again and may never have the opportunity to accept Him.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Judges 2:6-3:6 – Yet They Did Not Listen

I was having a conversation with someone the other day about raising children in the church…Christian Church or any other church.  This person was conflicted because they wanted to share with their children the experiences, both good and bad, they had gone through with their faith…with their God, but wanted to allow their children the opportunity to choose a faith for themselves.  At first I encouraged this person for realizing faith is something that does not pass down automatically from generation to generation.  We see evidence of this all the time.  Young people who have been in the church since they were born are leaving and not coming back.  They know all the stories and can recite Scripture and hymns, but they never made the faith their faith.

We need to encourage our young people to figure things out for themselves.  We can say we have a preference for them…that they would accept Jesus as their Savior…but at the end of the day, our faith does not save them.  They need their own faith.

Now, we can encourage their decision for Christ by bringing them up in the church, but more important is what happens at home.  Do young people see their parents and other adult Christians living out their faith in their everyday lives or just acting like Christians on Sunday and looking like the world the rest of the week?  Do we share the stories of how God has brought us through our struggles?  Do we share how He has blessed us through the years?

In our passage today, the Israelites forgot.  They did not pass on the heritage of God and what He had done for their nation.  They did not encourage the young people to own their faith.  Because of this, they turned from God and served the gods of the countries around them.  There was no longer any difference between the Israelites and the surrounding nations.  The Israelites became like the world instead of like God’s chosen people…sound familiar?

If we aren’t intentional about sharing our faith, if we aren’t intentional about encouraging the faith of our young people, the differences between Christians and the world will completely disappear.  The next generation or the one following will completely forget the ways of God and how Jesus died for our sins.  Our young people have so many influences surrounding them.  We as the body of Christ need to be more intentional in prayer and more intentional in reaching the next generation for Jesus.  How?  I’m open to suggestions!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Exodus 32:1-34:35 – You Have Sinned a Great Sin

Today’s passage is a little longer than the previous days, but there is a verse in the mix that I want to make sure you don’t miss.  Moses says in 33:15, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”  In other words – if you’re not coming, we’re not going.

This is an attitude we all need to adopt in our daily lives.  If we’re off doing things that God has not instructed, we are doing it in our own strength.  If God is off doing ministry without us, we’re missing out!  We need to be where He is…and nowhere else.  We shouldn’t start a ministry because the folks down the street are doing it or because it sounds like fun.  We should only be involved in ministry where God is involved!

Seek His Presence today.  See where He is and join Him there.  Don’t get ahead of Him, He may take an unexpected turn.  But keep up with Him!  We serve a God who is on the move!!

I’m praying for you today!

Pastor Amy

Exodus 3:1-4:17 – I Am Who I Am

Today’s Scripture is the calling of Moses that happens after God Remembers (tzakar Elohim) his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The calling of Moses always leaves me with mixed feelings.  I’m excited that after everything Moses has been through, he finally gets to come home to Egypt and to his people.  God has a plan, a very detailed plan.  Tell the people “I Am” sent you.  If they do not believe, there are three signs for Moses to show to the people.  God even tells Moses that initially the Pharaoh won’t hear you, but eventually he will let you go.  Then Moses and the Israelites are to plunder the Egyptians.  This will give them money, jewels, and precious metals to help them survive…but also to help build the Tabernacle later on.

God has all the insight and foresight into this plan.  I get so excited to remember that God has everything worked out.  He’s so many steps ahead of me that I don’t have anything to worry about.  Moses and the Israelites have no idea a Tabernacle is going to be built, but God already has set into motion how they will gain materials for it.  Moses is on a “need to know basis” just as we all are and God told him only what he needed to know.

So how does Moses respond?  Let’s do this thing!  This is surely God!  Look at all these signs and I’m talking to a burning bush that’s not really burning up…how cool is God!?!

Well – I often wonder how things would be different if Moses has responded this way.  Unfortunately, we’ll never know.  But God still makes a way.  He sends Aaron along to help (though sometimes along the journey Aaron becomes more of a hindrance than a help).

Oh that we would trust God when He calls us to something so we can go with “Plan A.”  When God calls us, we have several choices.  We can ignore Him.  We can tell Him we’re too busy right now, but we’ll do it later.  We can tell Him He is mistaken, there is no way we can do what He is asking.  Or we can be obedient and do as He asks.  God’s “Plan A” is always best for our life, but He will make a way if we are not willing.  Though I want the blessing that comes with being obedient.

I don’t want anyone to ever wonder how things would be different if you or I had responded with immediate obedience.  Let’s do what He asks…with urgency.  We can trust Him, He knows best.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Genesis 42:1-38 – Grain in Egypt

Unlike human promises, when God makes a promise, it will come to pass.  We all have opportunities in life to commit to things.  Whether it’s making dinner, giving someone a ride somewhere, being involved in an event, or even chairing a committee, we all make commitments every day.  Most of the time we keep our commitments, but sometimes things come up, maybe we have to work extra hours or we get sick, and we are not able to fulfill our promise.  But God always keeps His commitments, He always keeps His promises.

Our Scripture yesterday (Gen 37:1-36) spoke of a dream Joseph had that one day his family would bow down to him.  Because of this dream and the favoritism shown to Joseph, his brothers mistreated him and sold him into slavery.  But God had other plans.  God did not plan for Joseph to live out his life serving others; God wanted Joseph to serve Him.  God made a way.  God promoted Joseph until he was second in charge – only Pharaoh was greater.

Because God is in control, what was meant for harm, God turned into good (Gen 50:20).  Even when everything seems to be against us, God is in our corner (Rom 8:31).  No matter how things seem to be going wrong in your life right now, God is working.  He is working things out for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  Be encouraged!  Nothing is too great for God – nothing is too hard for him (Jer 32:17). 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Genesis 27:1-28:22 – A Place Called Bethel

Ah family.  You don’t get to choose which family you are born into.  You don’t get to choose your brothers and sister.  You just have to accept where God places you.  And sometimes, that is easier said than done.  If you want to read about a dysfunctional family that will make your family seem extremely healthy, read about Isaac and Rebekah and their two sons Esau and Jacob.  Isaac and Rebekah were married when Isaac was forty years old, but they did not have any children until Isaac was sixty.  I have seen the turmoil in couples wanting children and not being able.  In this day and age, testing as to what was going on…or to see what wasn’t going on wasn’t available.  All they had was certain shame from the community and hope in God through prayer.  Which He answered!  Not with one child, but with two.

After the children were born – everything came up roses…right?  Well, not so much.  Scripture tells us the parents did something no parent should ever do, they chose favorites.  Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  I can only imagine how this favoritism played out as the twin brothers grew up. 

Today’s passage comes at the end of Isaac’s life, he was at least 100 years old (Gen 26:34 tells us Esau was 40 years old when he married and this couple became a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah, so Isaac must be at least 100.)  Rebekah overhears Isaac’s instructions to Esau, the firstborn of the twins.  Isaac desires a last meal before he gives his final blessings and before he dies.  But Rebekah desires that her favorite, Jacob receive this blessing.  Rebekah’s craftiness and Jacob’s willingness to go along (he was at least 40 years old…he knew what he was doing!) led to deceiving Isaac.

Through this deception, Jacob received the blessing.  Jacob had already bought Esau’s birthright (all children were given a portion of the father’s estate at his death, the oldest received a double share.  This is what Jacob bought from Esau.)…it makes you want to see Jacob as the villain.  Later in the account of Jacob, we learn that he gets a taste of his own medicine by being tricked by another family member…again familial dysfunction!

But when you get to the end of the account of Jacob, you realize that God’s plan wins out in the end.  No matter how much we try, God’s Will wins in the end.  He allows us to go through challenges and allows us to try things our way, but if we choose to let God be our guide, how much less pain would we endure?  God will sit back and let us do things our way only to find out we can’t do anything on our own.  When we submit to God and His will for our lives, we find peace and rest.  We no longer have to fight through the struggles of life.  Now, there will still be struggles in life.  It’s kind of like navigating through a jungle.  On our own we’ll hack through the vegetation and probably get lost several times before we get ourselves through that mess.  But when God is with us, He’s the perfect tour guide who knows the easiest path.  We may still stumble as we go through, but He won’t let us fall.

Seek God as you go through your day.  His way is best and you’ll come out the other side with less bumps and bruises!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Genesis 11:1-9 – Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves

From the beginning, the city of Babel (also known as Babylon) desired greatness.  But they desired greatness in their own power and for their own gain.  They desired greatness according to their own will and plan…apart from God.  In today’s passage, the Babylonians try to dethrone God by building a tower that would reach the heavens.  This tower was not to glorify God, they were not going to give God any praise for giving them the ability to build such a structure, no – they were looking to make a name for themselves.

Living in today’s culture, it doesn’t take much to understand the motives of the Babylonians.  Daily we see others trying to make a name for themselves.  People try to outdo one another in order to get the big raise, they try to give better presentations so their ideas will be heard, they will do “whatever it takes” in order to be successful…and the person next to them is not.  People are sneaky, underhanded, and sometimes outright mean.  This is definitely not the plan God has for us.

Scripture tells us to love one another (John 13:34).  It is a command from Jesus.  He even becomes more direct by telling us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43).  When we get our lives in order and focus on loving God and then loving others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39) the recognition will come.  God will take care of us and provide rightful and deserved promotions.  We just have to make sure we give Him the credit and the praise. 

Remain in Him and you will bear much fruit, apart from Him you won’t be able to do anything! (John 15:5)

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Genesis 8:1-9:17 – Noah Built an Altar

When I wake up to dreary, rainy mornings like today I sometimes wonder how Noah and his family would have felt on a day like today.  Would they have run outside looking for a rainbow to make sure God remembered His covenant with them?  Or were they calm, knowing and trusting that God would not flood the earth again.  Was it a reminder of all they had been through, the long journey on the ark?  Or did they get as used to the rain as we are, not even remembering what God had done?

When we go through challenges with God how do we respond once the struggle is over?  Do we keep the journey in the front of our minds or does the memory fade away with all the others and we forget how God brought us through?  I think as we go through the trial, we often lean heavily on God and rely on Him to get us through.  When the situation has ended or things have been resolved, we praise Him and give Him the glory.  We share with others how faithful God is.  We tell others they need to build a strong foundation in Jesus so when their storms come, they will stand firm.  Then over time, the pain fades, the memories aren’t so strong, and the glory of God’s movement becomes faint in our mind.

We go back to living life forgetting how awesome God is…until the next struggle comes along and the cycle is repeated.  My challenge?  Let’s not do that!  Let’s remember what God has done and live life remembering how powerful He truly is.  Noah built an altar to the Lord so he could sacrifice, but also to help him remember.  I’m a big advocate of putting reminders around the house – things to help us remember on the refrigerator or the bathroom mirror.  And when we “stop seeing” our reminders, because anything in one place for too long begins to blend in, we need to change it up so we don’t let our faith begin to settle in.

How has God gotten you through trials in the past?  How do you remember His faithfulness?  Be intentional in your memory or unintentionally you will forget.  Oh that we will never forget!!

I'm praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:13-15  For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

I’m super excited!  Today is officially the first day of my new schedule.  Monday and Tuesday I get to focus on the church and Wednesday and Thursday I will head to my “other ministry” job.  Part of me feels as if I only have to work two days a week.  My “work” for the church includes Bible study, prayer, planning, administration, and being with people.  For some, I suppose this would be boring or tedious, but I’m overjoyed!

Now, it would be easy to “hole up” and busy myself with the administrative side of my work and lose sight of the most important side – you.  This new found freedom of time is a big responsibility and I need to remember to “serve one another” in my time.  So – I need your help!  Give me a call or shoot me a text or an email…let me take you to lunch or coffee (I’m doing better at this “early in the morning thing” so if breakfast would be better, I can do that too!)

I want to hear from you, learn about you, and support you in any way I can.  Maybe you’re looking to start a new chapter in life, maybe you just need someone to talk with, or maybe we can spend some time in prayer.  (and if I don’t hear from you – I will be in touch) ;-)

And with this in mind – maybe we all need to be better about being relational.  Be intentional about taking a lunch break and spending time with a coworker instead of working through.  Take time to talk with a neighbor when you get home from work instead of rushing inside.  Give a relative a call and chat a while instead of crashing in front of the television.  We are called to love one another – let’s get out there and do just that!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

James 4

James 4:13-15  Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"--  ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

With what I do, I meet all kinds of people.  Some are down and depressed – and rightfully so.  The folks I see often have major physical limitations, are on so many medications they seem to have a private pharmacy on their kitchen tables, and relationships are strained due to feelings of “this isn’t what I signed up for” (and then the guilt for feeling that way).  But lately I’ve been seeing several people who take all this negative and somehow muster a positive attitude.  They have made a choice.  They can wallow in despair (and no one could blame them) or they can live each day to its fullest.

When your health is good, most of us assume tomorrow is promised.  We make plans for next weekend, next month, for Christmas, assuming we will be able to enjoy our commitments.  But truly as James reminds us, we do not know what tomorrow will bring…so do it now.  Let your loved ones know how you feel – every day.  Make that phone call you’ve been meaning to make.  Share Jesus with your family and friends today because tomorrow may not come.  Or if you have been waiting to accept Jesus as your Savior, why not today?  It’s as good as any!  And tomorrow may not be an option.

On a side note – how did “early in the morning” go for you today?  Keep it up!! Or recommit for tomorrow J

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Joshua 3:1  Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

Mark 1:35  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

I didn’t sleep well last night.  I kept waking up and checking the clock to see what time it was…mostly to see how much more time I was going to get.  This morning I started teaching a 5:15am class at the gym.  It’s kind of crazy – I’m not much of a morning person.  If left to my own desires, I’d stay up late and sleep in late.  Unfortunately, my schedule doesn’t allow for that.  And this morning definitely did not allow for that.  But now that I’m up and have been awake for a couple hours, I’m enjoying the quiet of the morning.

“Early in the morning” is a phrase found in Scripture over and over (37 times in the ESV/23 times in NIV).  People in Scripture got up early in the morning to meet with God, to share with others what God had said, and to obediently follow God’s instruction.  Sometimes I think people got up early in order to follow God and “get it over with” or maybe they did in order to complete their assigned task before losing their nerve.  Jesus even modeled getting up “very early” in order to pray.

Getting up early is no easy task for many of us, but greeting God early puts Him first in our day…before the day gets hectic.  How many of us have good intentions to get to prayer and devotion time “a little later” only to find the day is over and “later” never happens.  When we get up to be with God first thing, maybe with coffee in hand, we will always have time.

Now more than ever we need our time with God – time to fill up with His Spirit, time to fill up with His knowledge, time to fill up with His energy.  We need to seek Him for direction – in our own lives and in the life of our church.  I believe God has much to tell us…we just have to consistently give Him our time.

So – challenge time!!  I know today is Wednesday – so Thursday and Friday this week and Monday thru Wednesday next week – I challenge you to get up earlier than normal.  Maybe 15 minutes maybe 30 minutes so you have time to be with your Lord.  Put in on your calendar as you would any other appointment.  Don’t be late!  It’s the most important appointment of your day J  Make sure not to stand up your best friend!  And let me know how it goes.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:15-16  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

I was reading an article online this morning about the rock star Madonna’s latest tour.  The article reported she has just completed the European leg of her tour and was very happy to be back in the United States.  She is excited because, “In my travels around the world the one thing I truly witnessed is we in America have freedom of speech, freedom of expression.”  Now, I’m not condoning Madonna’s music or her behavior, but she has a point.

As Christians we are free from sin and death!  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He comes into our lives and gives us freedom.  We have freedom to truly love, to truly have peace, and to truly speak the truth.  Our passage today encourages us to not only live our personal lives as free people, but as those who utilize our freedom to speak up for truth.  Oftentimes Christians are seen as “mousy” personalities who are meek and mild-mannered.  We need to change that.  We need to speak out, in love, against the foolish things of this world.  Instead of taking a backseat and not having an opinion in order to keep the peace, we need to be on the frontlines, rocking the boat, and speaking up for truth.

This doesn’t mean we should all become activists or politicians.  “Silencing the ignorance of foolish people,” may start in our homes with correcting our children and our family.  Maybe someone at work says something that is filled with ignorance and hate; you can speak to needing compassion and love.  It’s more challenging when you hear someone in public speaking foolishly.  You have to discern if speaking up is what God desires for you or if praying for them as you walk by is His leading.  Just make sure you are, “not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil.” 

We need to become like The Three Amigoes, “Wherever there is injustice, you will find us…” (1986).

I’m praying for courage and strength for all of us so we are able to fulfill this directive from God!

Pastor Amy

Exodus 17:6  6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Underlining mine)

Numbers 20:8-12  "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."  9 And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. 

10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?"  11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.  12 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." (Underlining mine)

Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results.”  I was reading an article about the church and the author claimed this is one of the biggest challenges for the church.  This article claimed that the church needs to be willing to try different things – new styles of worship, new curriculum for small groups, new preaching methods for Sunday worship…eliminating the “but we’ve always done it that way.”

I began to think about this and wonder why is it that many churches make these changes, but still nothing changes?  Churches adjust worship times and add more contemporary music, we add flashy videos and media to our worship services, we make our kids’ areas more visually exciting, but we don’t see an increase.  Truly, the idea that, “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t apply to the church.

I think the issue is deeper than what we do; it resonates closer to who we are.  It’s an issue of the heart.  It’s insane to keep our hearts the same and expect different results.  God may be asking us to change, as He was asking Moses to change.  The first time the people of Israel needed water, God asked Moses to strike the rock.  He did and water flowed.  The second time they needed water, God asked Moses to speak to the rock.  What did Moses do?  He struck the rock…twice.  Maybe he was thinking, “if one strike is good, two will be better!!”  God said because of Moses’ lack of belief in Him, Moses would not enter the promise land.  This is a heart issue.

We can serve the Lord and never be His servant.  We can do works for the Lord and never allow Him to work in us.  I believe when we allow Him in, allow Him into every area of our lives, He will show up.  When we allow Him into our churches, He will show up.  Why do churches die and close?  Some would say it’s the natural lifecycle of the church and this may be somewhat true, but I believe deep down it’s a heart issue.

Where is your heart?  Who has reign of your heart?  Have you created a barrier around your heart, not allowing God in to mold and make you into what He desires?  Or have you allowed Him free reign?  If you allow Him in, if you allow Him to chisel away and make you into who you are designed to be, when He gives marching orders you won’t have any hesitation in following and you will be blessed.  Churches will grow.  People will come to Christ!  We will be allowed to see our promised land.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Genesis 7-8

Genesis 7:24 - 8:1   ²⁴ And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.  8:1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

I was chatting with a friend a few days ago over coffee.   We enjoy getting together and sharing what’s new and going on in our lives.  As we were talking, a sadness fell over my friend.  She started with one thing, which led to another, and another, and another struggle she was dealing with.  As she spoke, tears started streaming down her face.  She shared about challenges at work and at home, extended family issues difficulties managing her time.  She said instead of a bump in the road, she felt like she had slammed into a wall.  Then she looked down and whispered, “I think God has forgotten me.”

So many of us have felt this way.  Each struggle we deal with by itself is no big deal, but when you pile on five or six; or seven or eight challenges, life starts to fall apart.  No one seems to have time for you, and truly, you don’t really have the energy to talk with anyone if they made the time.  Prayers don’t seem to be answered; in fact you wonder if God even hears your prayers.  Does He even still care?

I wonder if Noah felt this way.  Once the rain started, he and his family knew God had spoken.  Historically, they had never seen rain before.  God had always irrigated the lands, so this thunder and lightning and rain were probably a scary sight.  After forty days, the water stopped rising, but this journey wasn’t over yet.  For 150 days Noah, his family, and all the animals were cooped up in the ark.  I can only imagine Noah “doing rounds” just to pass the time.  But I’m sure more than once they were ready to get off this ride.

After 150 days “God remembered Noah.”  Now don’t read that wrong – God never forgot Noah.  It wasn’t as if God were tending to other matters and thought, “oh yes, I must get back to Noah and his family and do something about that water.”  It is more like God saying, “we’ve waited just long enough, now is the time to move.”

God didn’t forget Noah and God doesn’t forget us.  I can promise you that!  Oftentimes He’s waiting for just the right moment to move.  Other times, He’s waiting for us to get out of the way so He can move.  Whatever you’re going through right now – just remember – you’re going through.  We can’t go around and bypass challenges (most of the time), but with God’s help we will get through…even if He seems to have forgotten.  My friend and I have started to pray that God would remember her…and start moving!!  Maybe this needs to be your prayer too.

Be encouraged!   God is with you!!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:22-24   ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

I tend to be a regimented person – I like things in a certain order, I like to accomplish things in a certain way.  Monday mornings I get up and workout.  Then get ready for work.  I pack up my lunch.  I pack up all my stuff – all my work stuff and then make sure to grab everything I’ll need for Bible Study (I don’t make it home in between).  I head out the door and hit the road for my 45 min commute.  Once I almost get to work, I always stop at the same bank to make deposits and take care of all of that.  Well – yesterday I hit a snag.  When I pulled into the bank, there was a van blocking the ATM lane. 

They were servicing the ATM.  For some this might mean they have to go through a teller line, but I can’t tell you the last time I spoke to a teller.  I don’t even know where my deposit slips might be…that’s what my debit card is for.  So – I just pulled through and figured I’d deal with it later…I still had to get to the office.

Then I realized something.  I was being flexible.  I was ok with the fact that my plan was being altered; that I would have to change my routine.  Now some of you may be thinking, “ok, and what’s your point?”  You see, this is huge for me!  In the past this would have irritated me for the rest of the day.  I would have held a grudge against the bank…I mean, how dare they service their machine during business hours when people (and I mean me) need to use it.  I would have called a couple of people and complained to them.  But I didn’t.  I just thought, “oh well” and moved on.

Every once in a while I think we need to do a “fruit check.”  We need to take a look at our lives and see how we’re doing.  How do we respond when we are required to wait?  When we are required to change our plans?  When people are mean to us?  When life gets tough?  Do we pitch a big fit like a toddler or do we have patience and joy?

I was super excited yesterday when I realized I was making progress!  Well – God was making progress in developing me to look more like Jesus.  Now I just have to be care this excitement doesn’t become pride!! J

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:3-11  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,  ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.  ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

I was visiting with a new friend yesterday…a proud great-grandma.  She was showing me some artwork her great-granddaughter had drawn.  As my new friend shared about her new treasures, her face lit up and she smiled a big smile.  To most, these stick drawings on Post-it Notes wouldn’t be worth anything, but to my new friend, they are priceless.  The fact that these Post-its were stuck above her fireplace was of no concern.  In fact, she said if one were to fall down, a little Scotch tape would make them stay.  I commented that I thought her outlook was spot-on.  So many people would be concerned that the Post-it Notes would peel away the paint or somehow damage the wall.  She was more concerned about displaying her great-granddaughter’s masterpieces.

So often it seems we focus on the small stuff…things that really don’t matter.  We make a mountain out of a molehill.  At the end of the day, what is important?  That we and our families are safe, that we all have enough to eat, that we have clean clothes to wear, these are important.  It doesn’t matter if our house gets a little messy, if we end up eating soup and grilled cheese for dinner, or if our clothes aren’t name brands.  When we get upset or worry, we need to consider how important our concern is compared to eternity…that which is of first importance.

Jesus died for our sins – this is of the utmost importance.  This is where we need to lay our most concern – that we and our friends and family – in fact that everyone we meet – knows this truth.  And not that they just know it, but accept it for themselves.  Accepting that Jesus died in each of our places.  We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus paid the price for us with His life.  In comparison, a little paint peeling from the walls doesn’t matter.  Just like my new friend said, they sell paint in stores everyday if needed.

Have you made a decision for Jesus – accepting Him as Lord of your life?  Today’s as good a day as any.  Admit that you are a sinner and need someone to save you.  Believe that Jesus died in your place. And confess that Jesus is Lord of your life – that you give Him control.  It is a gift we don’t have to earn – it is already complete.  We just have to accept.

If you have any questions or concerns, let me know.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Luke 22

Luke 22:39-46   And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.  ⁴⁰ And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  ⁴¹ And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,  ⁴² saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."  ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.  ⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  ⁴⁵ And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,  ⁴⁶ and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Why is it sometimes I feel like I continue to go around the same mountain over and over?!?…I’d like to get off this ride!  What I mean is it seems I continue to stumble over the same issues over and over.  I do well for a while…and them BAM!! I’m on my butt again, fallen down from smacking into temptation…again.

Then the process starts over, I start praying again for my challenges and areas of weakness.  I ask God for strength to overcome.  I focus my eyes with determination on Him and pray that He might help me keep Him as my focal point.  I celebrate as it seems I have overcome.  Now here’s where I always get in to trouble…I let my guard down.  Obviously this area of struggle is not longer a concern – right?  Wrong.  Satan is tricky.  I think he backs off until we think “we’ve arrived” and then comes knocking on our door and throws us into a tailspin once more.

I’m encouraged because Jesus’ disciples can relate.  In Jesus’ final hours on earth, His disciples fell into temptation; falling asleep when He needed them most.  The advice Jesus gave?  Pray.  I love that in verse 46 He says, “Rise and pray.”  We need to come to our feet and pray…otherwise we might fall back asleep.  Standing gives us more authority.  Standing gives us more energy.  We need to stand and pray that we might not come into temptation.

Overcoming temptation is a process…sometimes a lifelong process.  Sometimes we need help – an accountability partner who checks on us randomly and is praying for us, a support group of people who understand our struggle, a counselor who can listen and help us work through our challenges.  I encourage you to not “go it alone.”  You are not alone – this is one of the biggest lies Satan gets us to believe.  We all have our challenges and issues…trust me.  If there is any way I can help – let me know.

I’m praying for you…if fact – I’m standing and praying for you!!

Pastor Amy