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

Acts 2

Acts 2:42-47  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common.  ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,  ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Saturday mornings are always a little hectic for me.  I teach two group fitness classes with only 10 minutes in between classes.  I have to quickly put away equipment and get myself to another room to set-up and change clothes real quick.  Typically my second class starts a minute or two late…which my participants are very gracious about.  Today more stress was added by a fellow instructor letting me know that my second room was having issues, the lights weren’t working right, the sound wasn’t working right, and the outlets weren’t working – so the fans weren’t working.

Great.

So – I went upstairs and figured out what the sound issues were…a secondary volume knob had been turned down.  After turning it up, the sound was fine.  They are doing construction in the room next door, so three of the walls had no power…but the fourth wall did.  After getting an extension cord, I was able to plug in one of the fans.  The overhead lights were working fine, but the spot lights that we use during class wouldn’t work…two out of three isn’t bad.

After class I had a conversation with one of the gym owners who had come in due to the loud concerns of the other instructor.  He shared with me the upgrades the gym was making and why things weren’t working as usual.  He also shared the plans for the future – changing some things around in order to make them better.  I’m super excited about some of the plans I found out about this morning!!

The biggest challenge?  Some of the instructors who have been there for years like things the way they are.  The gym has been “working” for years and changes aren’t needed…at least not in their eyes.  I believe some of them are taking these changes and upgrades as personal affronts; as if these new things are insulting all the work they have put in over the years.  When in reality the reason the owners are putting in all this time and money is because of this very success – trying to make it even better!!

Sometimes I think we struggle with this same thing within the church.  Young people start making new suggestions or new leaders come in and start making changes and upgrades.  It’s not that what has been done in the past hasn’t been good; the changes are made to build upon the successes in the past and take things to the next level.  But those who have been around for many years often see these changes as an insult and are outraged at the suggestion that things could be better.

All this to say – we need to make sure our eyes are where they need to be…on Jesus.  Our passage today helps to remind us what the important things are; what we need to be focusing on as a church.  We need to be learning and growing in our faith, fellowshipping and building one another up, praying, and helping those in need.  We can worship and pray in a room with pews and with chairs.  We can grow in our faith with organ or a praise band.  We can help those in need with traditional Sunday School or small groups.  We need to keep the main thing, the main thing and be thankful and rejoice when God attends us and provides new things.  With change comes more opportunity.  With more opportunity comes leading more to Jesus…which is the main thing!

Isaiah 43:18-19   ¹⁸ "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.  ¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

I’m praying for you as God is doing a new thing!

Pastor Amy

Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:13  ¹³ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Last night about 9:30pm our doorbell rang.  I was already in my pajamas and didn’t really want to go to the door.  My brother and I looked at each other, questioning if the other was expecting someone – neither one of us was.  Well, by the time we made it to the door, no one was there, but two envelopes were left behind.  One had my brother’s name on it and one had my name on it.  And I believe the intent was for us not to see the deliverer, so I don’t feel bad about not getting to the door sooner.

I opened the envelope and a letter was inside.  The author is unknown, just a note from “people who care.”  The note was filled with compliments and many encouraging comments.  The note made me feel loved, the note made me feel like my efforts are not in vain, and while I have an idea who the note was from, I believe its message is one from God.

In our hurried world of email and texts, I believe note writing is a lost art.  Our communication has become quick and to the point.  We only reach out when we need something and not when others might need us.  What I mean is we don’t call others just to see how they are doing…or write a letter of thanks or encouragement.  Scripture tells us to encourage one another – daily – as long as today is called today.

So – I encourage all of us…dig out your stationary and note cards and start writing.  Who does God want you to encourage today?  Maybe you are to sign it…or maybe the credit goes to “someone who cares” because it is to be a note from God and you are just a conduit.

Know that you are loved and I am praying for you!!

Pastor Amy

1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:9-13  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--  ¹⁰ not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.  ¹¹ But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.  ¹² For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  ¹³ God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

The other day I had the opportunity to walk into a situation where family members were discussing family problems.  They weren’t yelling or arguing, they were genuinely discussing challenges their family was facing.  The language was colorful and the images were crude, but they were being real and honest.  They were open about what was bothering them and they were suggesting possible solutions to consider…not that all solutions recommended were good ideas or even legal, but at least they were striving to help and support one another.

A Christian friend of mine also witnessed this encounter.  Afterward, she asked me why I put up with that.  I asked her to clarify what “that” was.  She asked how I could listen to such garbage, gossip, cursing, and all around immoral conversation…especially since I’m a Pastor.  I told her these people are not Christians, how can I expect them to act like Christians?  They are acting worldly because they are.  It’s not for me to judge them, just to love on them and support them in their time of struggle.

Now those who are in the church and claim to be Christian, that’s a different story.  Paul encourages us in today’s Scripture to take a hard look at everyone within the church who claims to be Christian (some folks in the church are just checking things out and are exempt from this scrutiny).  We are to look for those who have fallen off the narrow road.  We need to approach them and encourage them to repent and turn from their sinful ways…we are called to judge one another.  If this person does not turn from their ways, we are to turn from them.

This may seem harsh, but Paul understood how quickly sin can take hold.  Sin has been compared to weeds; they can grow with little nourishment and will spread until out of control if left unchecked.  We need to allow those not in the church grace while keeping an eye on our brothers and sisters in Christ, being quick to address any sin we observe.  We need to be more focused on destroying sin within the church and less concerned about offending.  Sin needs destroying before it takes hold. 

Turn from sin in your own life, seek Him to shine a light on areas that might need attention.

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Rejoice always,  ¹⁷ pray without ceasing,  ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I love to read.  For those who are non-readers, they struggle to understand how I can be in the middle of four different books at one time.  I love the diversity of learning about many different topics at once…and if one book gets a little tiresome, I switch to something else and return to it at a later time.  Of all the titles I’m currently reading, I’m really enjoying a series of fiction books, The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon by Mel Starr.  These stories take place in the 1300’s in England.  The verbiage reflects this time period and location and I often appreciate the glossary the author includes in the front of the book.  These books are well written mysteries with Hugh de Singleton as our sleuth.  Hugh is a learned man and a believer; though these books aren’t overtly “Christian-Fiction.”

As I was reading last night, Hugh was in trouble.  He had been captured by those who would prefer their secrets not be found out by a meddling surgeon.  Hugh made the following observation, “I believe I am like most men.  I call upon the Lord Christ when in need, but forget to speak to Him when my life is smooth and pleasant.  I treat the Savior like a lawyer; I call upon Him only when I am in trouble.  I vowed to amend my ways and prayed that some escape might appear…”

Oh how true this is!  When the sun is shining and life smells of roses, we sometimes forget that God is there and He provided this beautiful ambiance.  And oftentimes, like Hugh, we promise to do better in the future…especially if God will answer our need as soon as possible.  Well – accept this as a reminder – praise God today!  Pray without ceasing…no matter what the day may bring.  Thank Him for the sunrise and the sunset.  Thank Him for each meal you eat and for the safe travel you enjoy.

God is amazing and we need to tell Him about it!!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy

Starr, Mel. "A Trail of Ink, The third chronicle of High de Singleton, surgeon." Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. 2010. p177.

Matthew 28

Matthew 28:19-20  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

I was reading an article this week about the church and its mission.  The article began with a discussion of “Christendom,” explaining that The Church in the United States has always been in the forefront of daily culture.  Christianity has been the primary religion of our nation, people attended church because that’s what you did, and everyone had a basic understanding of Biblical Principles.  Leaders in the church focused on those within their walls, encouraging them to make a decision for Jesus as Lord and Savior, which wasn’t too challenging because they already had a base understanding of their need for Him.  These leaders then taught Bible studies, encouraging a growth in Christian knowledge and in faith.  There was little outreach, if any, to those outside the church because it was unnecessary.  People knew where to come when they were wounded…they knew the church was a place for healing.

Our culture has changed.  People no long attend church because it’s what the culture says they should do.  In fact, to some, attending church goes against the norm.  Many of our churches have failed in changing with our culture.  Church leadership still expects people to come to them when they are in need, but people are seeking other avenues of healing.  Churches are in decline.  It is time for us to realize once more what our intended mission is.

Jesus commanded us to Go and make disciples of all nations…not stay in our churches and wait for them to come to us.  We need to be more bold and daring in reaching out.  We need to get crazy.  We need to seek God and His direction for our church.  We need to brainstorm ideas how to better serve our community and be Jesus to those around us.

Let me know what you think! 

I’m praying for you !

Pastor Amy

Philippians 4

Philippians 4:10-13  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

In watching the Olympics these past few days, there have been some very exciting moments; the underdog coming out ahead, some amazing records being set, and some very sorrowful defeats.  I have been happy with the winners, but my heart goes out to those who do not perform as expected. 

When the announcers interview the athletes it’s always interesting to hear the different responses when things don’t go as planned.  Some athletes can barely speak due to their disappointment.  Some athletes choose to blame the conditions, the crowd, the equipment…blaming everything they can think of instead of taking the responsibility themselves.

Then there are those who shine, even in defeat.  They congratulate their peers for an excellent race/performance.  They say their best today was out done by someone else.  They are just so excited and thankful for the opportunity to be at and compete at the Olympics.  They realize how many people have the dream of one day competing at the Olympics and also realize how few are able to realize this dream.  They have learned to be content no matter what.

We need to learn to be content.  If we are struggling with our job, at least we have a job.  So many people are out of work right now it’s disconcerting.  Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t polish your resume and begin sending it out if you need to be in a different position, we just need to be ok with where we are in the meantime.  We need to be content with our financial situation; being ok with what we can afford right now, not always wanting more.  It doesn’t mean your situation won’t change in the future, we just need to be content.

In our Scripture today, Paul encourages us to be content in whatever situation you are in – whether low or high, be content.  The secret?  Jesus.  He is the one who strengthens us every day in every way.  Lean on Him today – He’ll help you through!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy