Celebration Notes

May 23 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 15:29-30

2012-05-23T09:31:00.000-05:00

Psalms 119:1-16 The first two verses say: “Happy are those who lives pure lives, who follow the Lord’s teachings. Happy are those who keep His rules, who try to obey Him with their whole heart.” The Psalmist says that he gave God his undivided attention. Whether he was seeking God, or crying out for help- he did it with his whole heart. Are we praying, “Thy will be done” or “My will be done”? If we seek Him with our whole heart in His word and in prayer, we will truly love Him with our whole heart. The only way we can live a pure life is by obeying God’s Word and hiding His words in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. We can enjoy living by His rules if we obey His demands and remember His words! His rules give us pleasure and good advice. Clara Dean

May 22 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 15:27-28

2012-05-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

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In 2 Samuel David learned of Saul's death at which time he had the young Amalekite struck down for lying. 2 Samuel 1:13 is about lying bringing disaster upon the liar. In the San Angelo Police Department Policy & Procedure Manual it reads that you can be fired for lying. The lingo is "If you lie- You die!" In the Academy we were advised by Judges, Attorneys and our Instructors that if we were ever caught lying we would be of no use to the Law Enforcement System. Many times through-out my career the word Integrity was brought up on occasion. Integrity for me is doing the right thing all the time even when nobody is watching. Well we of course know somebody is always watching. My Integrity has been attacked from time to time during my career and My Heavenly Father has always taken care of me. I have been fortunate to have always maintained my integrity and am so very proud of my beliefs. Proverbs The book of Proverbs purpose is to teach people how to attain wisdom, discipline, and a prudent life, and how to do what is right, just, and fair- in short, to apply divine wisdom to daily life and to provide moral instruction. Parts are particularly useful for leaders or those who aspire to be leaders. I thank the Lord for my every 4th day (Walk to Emmaus) for his perfect timing in opening my eyes and ears to his words and placing me in the position I am in to share him with others. Mike Hernandez

May 21 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26

2012-05-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

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I have learned many important things in my life. I have learned that there is no one on this planet that is perfect and won't let me down. Not that anybody let's me down on purpose, it's just a fact of life. As long as we are on this Earth with sin all around us,it's going to happen. The most important lesson that I have learned is that no matter what, God will never let me down. I can be trapped in a situation where I feel there is no hope, when I call out to God, He shows me a way out that I never knew existed. Amazingly, I begin to feel the freedom from that situation and overcome it. In times like this Psalms 118 is a wonderful passage to recall. We read several times that God's love never quits, which to me is always important to remember. He doesn't just love me when I am being a good daughter, just like our parents, even if they are disappointed in our actions, they always love us no matter what. No matter how bad I mess up : God will always love me!! Then we read that no matter how many enemies we have or that we are about ready to fall off a cliff, God will be our strength and salvation to protect us from it all. In the end, it is God's hand raised in victory! It makes me feel wonderful to know that I am loved and God will never let me down. When life throws you a curve ball, which we all know is going to happen, remember that God still loves you, He is your strength, and the only one you can count on at all times to help you get your life back on the right track again. Read Psalm 118, believe it, and live it!!! Crystal Berry

May 18 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 15:18-19

2012-05-18T10:16:00.002-05:00

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John: 19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.20 And many of them said, He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? Can you imagine seeing all of the miracles Jesus did? Can you imagine watching other people’s expressions after witnessing, healings and miracles? Just imagine you are in a funeral procession (Luke 7:11-16 is the verse), and you watch a widow grieve for her son. You are walking to the cemetery to bury her boy who is in an open coffin. You see Jesus walk up, and the procession stops. Jesus touches the coffin and tells the boy to arise, and he sits up and starts to talk! WOW! You know that had to have freaked some people out! Poor Luke is a Doctor and very educated, and I can’t even imagine what he looked like or thought of once Jesus raised the boy from the dead! Would we be able to understand Jesus, if we were there with him during those times? Would we really believe Jesus was the Messiah even after witnessing all of his miracles? Would we be confused with all of his parables? Can you imagine hearing all of Jesus’ teachings, and then listen to the high priest tell us how Jesus goes against our way of living and worship? Who would we conform to? Would we think Jesus is a mad/insane/crazy demon possessed man? Would we try and reason, how he can make a blind man see? People even back then who talked and walked with Jesus had questions. Now, thousands of years later, do we believe Jesus really who he says he is? Or, do we believe Jesus was crazy? Randy Chavez

May 17 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15, John 9:1-41, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 15:15-17

2012-05-17T09:05:00.001-05:00

Click here to read today's reading... Every time I think about the passage from John 9, I marvel at how healing didn’t occur in the same way each time. Sometimes Jesus laid hands on a person and they were healed. He healed the woman in the crowd without looking at her. The servant of the Roman was healed, just by Jesus calling it so. Here, he spit in the dirt, put it on the eyes of the blind man, and asked him to go wash it off in a particular place. We sometimes get so wrapped up in what we think God’s presence, salvation, or healing looks and feels like. I think we can be completely unaware of what God is doing or saying. We aren’t recognizing it, since it isn’t wrapped in a pretty box. He is a big God who created such intricate processes in this awesome world, and His plans are not ours. He knows every situation before it happens and has a plan. Why would we think that the omnipresent Lord of all would do some

thing in a way we perceive as the “best” way? This man’s miracle came with a little spit and dirt. I believe our breakthroughs often come packaged in ways that aren’t always attractive, not always pleasant, not always the circumstances of our choosing. These situations, though, may be the very way God meets your greatest need. Selena Strickland

May 16 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 15:12-14

2012-05-16T08:51:00.000-05:00

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Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God. Take me to Your door this day. I will serve no other god. Lord, I'm here to stay. For You have paid the price for me. With Your blood You ransomed me. I will serve You eternally. A free man I'll never be. The above song used to be one of my favorites growing up. I loved the story I was told for the origins of the song. “In the time of Ancient Rome, a man could only be a slave for so long before their masters were required to set them free. When a slave was with a good master and chose to stay with him, the master would pierce their ear on the door of his home. All who saw the earring would know they were willingly serving that master from then on.” Though it is a beautiful sentiment, I now see is that we are not slaves kept on by the master. We are children of the Most High God. We contribute to the upkeep of our household. We serve our Daddy as children do chores, and we are loved and treated as such. We are only slaves when we operate in sin. “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” – John 8:34-35 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” -Romans 8:15 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 DesaRay Goff

May 15 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4, John 8:21-30, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 15:11

2012-05-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

Click here to read today's reading... Good morning! ( if you are like me I read the word and the blog in the mornings.) Today looks like it will be a pretty standard day, but will it be? David was having a run of the mill day, David was just running an errand for his father.' Take this grain and these loaves to your brothers, and these 10 cheeses to their commanders. Bring back a report on how they are'. He had been watching the sheep, just doing his job.He runs an errand, just doing his job. He delivers the food, checks on his brothers and finds the army scared, unable to defeat the enemy, Goliath. The country he lived in and the God he loved were being mocked. He would not stand by passive and let it happen. He took action. He let himself be used of God. Do you remember in the last chapter he had been anointed as King? He still had a job to do. That morning he was looking after the sheep, but there

was an enemy that had to be faced down. What are my giants? What are yours? What are our Nations? What in my life do I know God has told me there is victory over? He is just waiting for me to realize that " It is not by sword and spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord's" Our victory was won so completely at the cross that Jesus said" It is finished". Victory everyday, even if they start out looking pretty standard. Be blessed and know if there are any giants that are in your path today the battle is the Lords, and He won. Kelly Dunn

May 14 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-30, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

2012-05-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

In these scriptures, we get a glimpse of how our Lord is merciful as well as just. In 1 Samuel we read about Saul being disobedient to the word of the Lord, and therefore reaping the consequences. Saul loses his place as king over Israel and is greatly burdened over this, but the Lord provides David to bring him solace from his grief. Do you see how awesome that is?! In perfect justice, God rebuked Saul’s actions. But in His mercy, God made a way for Saul to be relieved of his lamentation through the music of David. In John, Jesus does not

condemn the sins of the woman. He brings conviction upon those about to stone her, as well as upon the woman herself. She is fully aware of her sin. The Lord tells her to “go and sin no more”. How perfectly just!! In this way, Jesus endeavors to lead each of them into leaving their lives of sin and into a life of forgiveness and grace. Proverbs 15:8-10 says, “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The Lord detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.” Our God is just. He wants us to be obedient. We receive His discipline when we are not. How blessed we are to serve a just God of mercy!! He wants so much for us to choose Him, to choose life! If we were to try to list all the times we have sinned and fallen short of His glory, I’m sure we could all just melt into a ball of shame and guilt. But because of His love for us, we don’t have to! We only have to cry out to Him for mercy and forgiveness and it is ours! In His perfect justice, He has made a way for us all to be redeemed! Amber Oglesby

May 13 1 Samuel 14:1-52, John 7:31-53, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 15:5-7

2012-05-13T05:30:00.000-05:00

So just what will you do with Jesus? That is a question that everyone must answer. In this passage (John 7: 40-45), those in the crowd to whom Jesus was speaking, wrestled with this exact question. The reaction of those that day, give us insight into the hearts of everyone around us today. “Now some of them wanted to take Him (away)”. This statement represents people who just want to remove Jesus from their lives altogether. They find the person of Christ: a living, breathing, loving, sacrificing God so uncomfortable that they seek to do away with Him. Pick up any modern day newspaper or watch CNN or FOX NEWS. Got ACLU? “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?” This shows the attitude of those who would like to believe in Jesus but the plausibility of God himself sacrificing for the sins of mankind give them pause. These folks think that this is a lovely idea that God would send Jesus to die for them but doubt that it could happen. “Truly this is the Prophet.” These are the folks who see Jesus as a good man, a good teacher, a spiritual leader or a “profit”……..but not God. They want the benefit of His wisdom and teachings but fail to see Christ’s real value. He didn’t come to teach bad people to be good or good people to be better. Jesus died to make dead people live! “This is the Christ.” Here we go! These are those who not only recognize Jesus for who is but also hopefully act on that by confessing Him as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. So which are you? And which are those close to and around you? For we must all decide “what to do with Jesus”. Lee Francis

May 12 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23, John 7:1-30, Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 15:4

2012-05-13T00:07:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen a person not living a life of Christ that has success and a wonderful life and wanted what they’ve got? Often times our faith is clouded by what other people have, even if it has nothing to do with Christ. Israel wanted an earthly king placed over them, because they wanted what the other nations living around them had; something tangible that supposedly brings comfort and happiness. We put many things in our lives that bring comfort and happiness, because we sometimes lack the faith that God will provide. We ultimately replace God with tangible items that we believe will fill us with comfort and make us feel safe. Addictions can very easily be considered a lack of faith in God providing, because a lot of times addicts are chasing a high and a comfort that only God can provide. Not all is lost by Israel wanting an earthly king. Though it was sinful of them, this becomes an example of God ordaining sin for His will. What we see is a lineage of kingship beginning that ultimately brings in the King of Kings, Jesus Christ! Comfort and success are great things, but God does not call us to be comfortable or successful. We are called to serve regardless of the conditions that we may find ourselves in. Our success, comfort and joy are in heaven where we will spend eternity! Regardless of what the world offers, Christ is better and following Him will provide a reward that is far better. It is our job to hold Christ up and praise His name regardless of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Trey Oglesby

May 11 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15, John 6:43-71, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3

2012-05-11T10:09:00.000-05:00

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John 6:43-71 This text comes from the living bread which came down from heaven. Jesus was speaking of the manna which sustained the people in the wilderness, just as God sent Jesus to the people to be sustained and to live. God also sent him so all could live. This is what is explicit. The implication is the fact that throughout the Old Testament, either prophets or events, the direction given is one, Jesus. The religious Pharisees, scribes, and priests at the time of Jesus, as connoisseurs of Law and the Prophets, should see Jesus as the fulfillment of the scriptures. Through religiosity, combined with their spiritual pride and arrogance, they became blind and could not see the King of Glory. In fact, no matter what the verse, I always think the same thing, "Forgotten People". Well, I was born in Brazil. I went through many things in my life with a broken family that brought me a lot of pain. I grew up not believing that there was a God who wanted to save me and love me. I know what pain means, and I know that without Jesus I wouldn’t be alive... The day I met Jesus was the best day of my life. The reason why I am saying this is because it was like a miracle after I saw what Jesus can do, my heart was filled with hope for people who are in the same situation like I was. These days, my heart has been sad with what I have seen. I realize that what happens today is the same as the days of Jesus. People cannot identify him as king. I had the opportunity to study theology in a seminary and I also was a missionary, too. I traveled a lot, met many churches, and always saw the same thing: people looking for Jesus in the temple without care to show that Jesus lives inside of them to the people in need outside of the church. The difference between now and the time of the prophets is that they do not recognize that Jesus was walking with them and doing miracles, and today we do not recognize that Jesus lives inside of us and wants to do miracles in us and by us. If you're reading this, I invite you to think with me... when I didn’t have Jesus in my life, I looked for him even when I said that I didn’t believe in him. The world out of the church wants Jesus even if they say that they don’t believe in him (Romans 8: 22-23) .... Let's be Jesus to the people around us, they are looking for you and maybe you'll be the only Jesus they are going to meet in their life. Tony Lucas

May 10 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27, John 6:22-42, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 14:34-35

2012-05-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

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36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. –Jesus, John 6:36 Being a Physics teacher, I have had the pleasure of participating in many debates concerning Jesus and whether or not any of “this” is real. I find a lot of intellectuals who tend to want to believe in SOMEthing (they’re not sure what), but they just cannot bring themselves to put faith in someone/something in which they have no proof. So, they believe in science. The problem with this belief system is that eventually science itself becomes like a religion. Meaning, if one backtracks enough, he eventually gets to the “big bang”…and the NEXT question no longer has an acceptable answer. “What was the universe like before that?” Or, “where did the singularity of matter & energy come from?” There are two possible answers: “I don’t know” or “It was just already there and always has been.” Both of which are unacceptable as far as proof is concerned and require…faith. (Ironically, when Christians answer the same questions about God in a similar way, we are chastised for believing in such a thing.) However, that is when I get to share the PROOF of what Jesus has done in my life and what I have experienced in my relationship with Him. This is something we can all do as believers, and nobody can dispute it. It is called our unique testimony, and we should share it as often as opportunities arise to help others know that there is indeed evidence of God at work. Unfortunately, as Jesus said, there will be those that hear & see the proof of the life-changing power of the Messiah and still not believe. But what about those that WILL?! Godspeed, my friends, in telling the world. Russ Collins

May 9 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 14:32-33

2012-05-09T10:08:00.000-05:00

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Psalm 106:13-31 I marvel at the Lord and the swift justice that is about to take place due to the disobedience of the people mentioned in verses 20 – 21. So often we put idols before our God; they are different for everyone. We get that ever present ‘gut check’ that speaks to us in a still small voice that says what we are doing is not right, yet it is ignored, at times, and consequently we pay for our mistake. When the enemy is attacking we often want to quit and say, "I will do it my way", because sometimes what the Lord is asking seems too difficult, yet it is still His way and not our own. As mentioned in verse 30, Phinehas had the courage to step in, and the plague was stopped. The Holy Spirit stands in the gap for us, leading us to the path of righteousness so that we will be spared and not plagued, as mentioned in verse 15. Verse 24 says, “The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe His promise to care for them.” We will never falter when we put our faith and trust in God, and He will always see us through, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Mitzi Atkinson

May 8 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22, John 5:24-47, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 14:30-31

2012-05-08T08:59:00.000-05:00

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Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 106:1 Why don't we take a few minutes right now to praise the Lord, just because he is so good? Let's remind ourselves who He is, and what all He has done. Let's remember that He is our Creator, Savior, Provider, Shelter, and Guide. He is our Friend, Comfort, Wisdom and Truth. Our God is Life, Light, Joy, Peace, Mercy, and our Healer. Let's never forget He IS the Love that knows no beginning or end, and always be aware that our God is good and only good. We can praise the Lord because we are blessed beyond what any of us understand. We have been given life, and not just in the here and now, but life for eternity. Thank you Lord for all you are, and all you have done! Thank you for reminding us today of your greatness. Let our hearts and mouths be filled with gratitude and praise. You are worthy, Lord, of all our praise! Debbie

May 7 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21, John 5:1-23, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 14:28-29

2012-05-07T09:59:00.000-05:00

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1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:21 In verse 1:7 the message version says, “Every time she (Hannah) went to the sanctuary of God she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.” The place that was supposed to be a place of healing and hope was a place of pain and suffering for Hannah. Because she had no children she was taunted. Hannah was reminded of how barren she was. How her life was not blessed like everyone else. Things then get worse. She gets so upset about this problem in her life that she pours her heart out to God and then gets accused of being drunk in church by the priest!! Verse 13 says “Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk.” This verse challenged me. Have I ever jumped to the wrong conclusion about people that were just hurting and looking for an answer to their problems? Of course Hannah’s prayer gets answered and she has a baby. But this part of the story filled me with conviction to not let the people that I come into contact with have the same experience that Hannah did. I don’t want people to think of Christians as people who will only show them their short comings. Instead, I want them to think of them as people who will bring them hope. Kristi Bosworth

May 6 Ruth 2:1-4:22, John 4:43-54, Psalm 105:16-36, Proverbs 14:26-27

2012-05-06T05:05:00.000-05:00

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Not too long ago I was reading a passage in a book that had made a reference to a scripture containing the words “Fear the Lord”. Of course like everyone else, I have heard this many times, however for some reason this time I wanted to investigate further. The question came to my mind, “Do I Fear the Lord and if I do, then how do I fear him?” When I read today’s scriptures, I felt inclined to share what had been a mystery for me until just recently. There seems to be two categories of fearing the Lord – One for his enemies and one for those who love him. If you are his enemy, fearing him is pretty self-explanatory. For those of us who love him however, the most common terms I have found is Awe and Reverence to him. I love the term Awe here as so many times I just find myself in amazement of God and the things he does. In our daily lives, but also with a sunset or the birth of a child. When I realized what fearing the Lord meant and how it applied to the way I see him, it opened my eyes to a new light. Proverb 14:26 & 27 read: 26: Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. 27: Fear of the Lord is a life-givingfountain; it offers escape from thesnares of death. These are two of the many scriptures that shows reveal to us the great gifts that come along with having such an awe, respect, and love for our Heavenly Father. How great is Our God!! Jeff Atkinson

May 5 Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22, John 4:4-42, Psalm 105:1-15, Proverbs 14:25

2012-05-05T11:25:00.001-05:00

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“35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe[d] for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:35-36 NLT) Anytime you share God’s Word with someone you could be the one who is sowing a seed into that person, or you could be the one who is reaping the harvest of the a seed already sown, either way no one loses. How can you lose when the “fruit” of the harvest has gained eternal life, and fills both the “planter” and “harvester” with such great joy? To me these scriptures in John 4 are filled with words of encouragement. Words that say it really does not matter if you are the “planter” or the “harvester” it is important to remember that both are vital to the raising of the “crop”. We are all on the same team, and as long as we are willing to share our story with an open and honest heart, the Lord will fill our hearts with great joy. The truth is that, Jesus was the one who is the ultimate “planter”. He is the one who labored in the field by giving His life for us; He is the reason why the fields are ripe for harvest. All He is asking of us is to gather up the fruit and show them how to plant that seed into someone else. Become a “planter” or “harvester”…… so that you may be someone who brings great joy to our Lord! Be blessed, Debra Lawhone

May 4 Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:25-35, Proverbs 14:22-24

2012-05-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

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In a nutshell! “He must become Greater, I must become less.” -NIV “He must increase, I must decrease.”-KJV “This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” - Message In John 3:22-23 We see John and Jesus glorifying God by baptizing those who have come. John’s disciples are upset that this man that John told them would come is now baptizing and “competing with them” (John’s” team” or church), and they are losing people to this new guy. Sounds like people of today arguing over whose church is better or what denomination or religion is “right”. John was a teacher/preacher. He was a man telling of the good news that was to come just like our teacher/preachers of today telling of the good news that came (and will come again).Too many times church and the things of God end up being about people the things of man. We allow our feelings and pride to get in the way of what really matters, which is Jesus. No man is more important than God. I believe John’s response said it all in John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.” Let’s keep God lifted up and keep it about Him. Steve Lawhone

May 3 Judges 17:1-18:31, John 3:1-21, Psalm 104:1-24, Proverbs 14:20-21

2012-05-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

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Leadership... "In those days there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing." Judges 17:6 Leadership is important! Leaders provide order. Order gives guidelines. Without those guidelines, people will do whatever they want to do. And that's bad! Guidelines direct you. They keep you on course. Think about driving. Those guidelines keep you safe. It would be very dangerous if everyone drove however they wanted to! (there are some that do) "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." Warren G. Bennis "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18 Leadership shows how to live! Paul understood this and he wanted people to understand that all he was doing was following Jesus. "1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ..." 1 Corinthians 11:1-3a We all lead someone! A Friend, our kids, a coworker. Le’ts lead them to Jesus! "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" John 14:6-7 MSG Nathan Bosworth

May 2 Judges 15:1-16:31, John 2:1-25, Psalm 103:1-22, Proverbs 14:17-19

2012-05-02T09:26:00.000-05:00

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The Psalmist reminds of just how good our God is! Sometimes we just need to focus on the goodness of God. Forgives all our sins and removes them from us as far as the east is from the west! Heals all our diseases! Redeems our life from the pit! Crowns us with love and compassion, and is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love! He satisfies our desires with good things! I used to hear it in church circles all the time, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!” It kind of became cliché’ and people quit saying it. Maybe we need to take the advice of the Psalmist and began to declare it again! “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” Because God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! Cassie

May 1 Judges 13:1-14:20, John 1:29-51, Psalm 102:1-28, Proverbs 14:15-16

2012-05-01T10:19:00.000-05:00

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Samson… As a kid, I had a love hate relationship with Samson. I loved the image that he conveyed… the man appointed by God to defend Israel and lead them in strength. I always saw him with rippling muscles and his long hair. Growing up in the 80’s, it doesn’t get any cooler than long hair. (He did have long hair but the ripped bod is not a sure thing since nowhere in the Bible does it refer to his physical body. In fact, many Bible scholars believe that he was a normal looking man since it was obvious to all that his power was not his own... Now that I am older I kinda like this idea better…Samson could have had a body like mine.) I hated it when he did stupid stuff. Today we read about the angel announcing Samson’s birth. We read that “the Lord blessed him” and “the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him.” We see that he also was told some things to avoid in life. These were not rules for everyone… they were for Samson. They were to protect him and his assignment. God knew his weaknesses and gave him hints to help shore them up. His down-fall was found in not honoring them and keeping them. As you move forward in life, the Holy Spirit knows how you are made. He knows you better than you know yourself. God will begin to set boundaries for you. He may ask you to not do something that just about everyone else feels totally free to do. These are not rules for the general population…they are paths of blessing for you. Honor them out of love for God…he reveals them to you out of love for you. God only sets boundaries in our lives to keep us living the true life. He never puts them there to frustrate us or keep something good from us. His ways are perfect. Ours…not so much. Brandon Clark

April 30 Judges 11:1-12:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14

2012-04-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

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DVD – What is that? We still watch our videos on VHS. Ok, I am not quite that bad, but I am certainly not a technology guy with the latest gadget. My friends joke because they have to send a separate, non-data, text that my phone is capable of receiving. (Of course I think I am high-tech for having a cell phone!) That being said, I do enjoy the technology of the internet and the mind-blowing resourcefulness it offers us. One of my favorite items is that we have as many translations for a scripture as we could ever want at out finger tips. Although Proverbs 14:13 did not jump out at me right away, I read several versions until I got the NLT: “Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains”. As I read this, I was reminded of the Walk to Emmaus I attended and how so many of the men seemed perfectly happy and in such great spirits. As the weekend went on however, it revealed that many men had very heavy hearts from things in their lives. As they began to open up to each other and especially Jesus, many of those burdens began to become lighter and even melt away. Life and its challenges can certainly weigh us down. The insight from this proverb tells us not to cover or mask those things with laughter or other methods, but rather bring them forth to Jesus so true healing can occur. God bless you and make it a great week!! Jeff Atkinson

April 29 Judges 9:22-10:18, Luke 24:13-53, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 14:11-12

2012-04-29T22:10:00.000-05:00

Abimelech was the son of Gideon, so to see the evil that he committed in his short rule over Israel is somewhat surprising and I would have assumed that he would have represented God and his father better. While I was growing up the one thing that my dad said to me habitually was “you carry my last name, don’t make it look bad.” As I grow in Christ and mature in my walk with Him, I hear God the Father say to me, “you carry my name, and don’t make me look bad.” How may I be acting like Abimelech, though I am called to represent Jesus in my daily endeavors? If I don’t interact with others through love, I am just as bad. If unbelievers see me bickering among my brothers and sisters in Christ, what does that say about Jesus? If I am not willing to pursue an unbeliever through love and share the Gospel with them, am I not contributing to their death? Luke 24:43 says “then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Jesus called His believers to go and make disciples of nations. He does not leave us without the tools and knowledge needed to complete the task. He has called us to stand against the evils of this world and be representatives of His love. Through us, His children, the world should witness an undying love that invites everyone to Him regardless of their condition. Romans 5:8 says “but God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!” In a world full of evil, are we the church, showing the world that God wants them any way they are, or are we showing people that they have to meet a criteria before being allowed in His presence?

April 28 Reading Plan 1 Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10

2012-04-29T06:34:00.000-05:00

In Judges, we see Gideon as the rescuer of the Israeli people from the Midianites. The people of Israel knew exactly what had happened; he saved them. They asked him to rule over them, to be their king, but as soon as Gideon was dead, the Israelites forgot all about him. Gideon had saved them and they celebrated it; then they forgot it. (How could they so quickly forget?) Time and time again, we see in His word where God rescued people and answered prayers. Prayers for salvation, for healing, for blessing! Too many times, as soon as that “chapter” of life ends, the answer is forgotten; just like Gideon. Round and round they go… In Luke, JESUS IS THE RESCUER! Not just the Israelites and not just from the Midianites. Jesus rescued ALL, from ALL!!! Many people didn’t realize what had happened when Jesus died. MOST didn’t realize what had happened. Some didn’t know it until He was dead. Some didn’t know it until He was alive again. Some still don’t know it today, but it doesn’t change what happened… JESUS RESCUED US; more surely than Gideon recued the Israelites from the Midianites. It seems too often, when a problem or trial comes up in our lives, we have to be reminded of those past answers and victories so that we can walk in faith for the latest one. Let’s make sure to remind each other of the victories… but I want to REMEMBER so that I don’t have to be reminded. Let’s ALWAYS REMEMBER and NEVER FORGET all He has done for us… and celebrate the VICTORY! Kim Hayes

April 27 Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalm 97:1-98:9, Proverbs 14:7-8

2012-04-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

Click here to read today's reading...Psalms 97:1 The Lord reigns! Rejoice earth and rejoice distant coastal regions. We all know that on this earth there is a God who rules this universe right? But because not everyone knows that He reigns and is alive, this world needs people who are willing to take the name of God not only into their laps (hearts), but willing to reach those who are distant. People who will bring the word so that the whole world will know that there is a God who reigns and will soon return to lead his people. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is God. Many people have dismissed this even though He reigns in this world forever. Christians should be more straightforward with the words that God has put into our hearts, because He is the one that should be worthy of praise and honor. We can choose to exalt his name on earth, for people to know that he reigns, and his true joy, kindness, and forgiveness is in our hands. We worship only one God and the only one who is always by your side. Even in the hours that you're down he'll say, “My son be glad.” I will choose to be a generation of worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Psalm 97:1 shows that where God reigns there is all happiness and spiritual joy. It shows that not only will the gospel be preached in Judea, but through all isles and countries. Even seeing this world full of confusion and all sorts of things happening, and some ask does the same God really reign in this place? My answer to you is very simple… When the world goes through difficult times, He is with us and He promised never to leave. So he reigns in the world even if there are things happening today. It will all be used to bring honor and glory to his name. God's love is always going on this earth; there's nothing that can stop this immense love! The love of Jesus Christ who once died for us all, so that we can see his glory on this earth. Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Gustavo Filipe Juventino