50 Day Spiritual Adventure Scripture: Week of September 15, 2013

Week of September 15, 2013:

Sunday: Proverbs 29-31; Psalms 22

Monday: Luke 1-2; Psalms 23

Tuesday: Luke 3-4; Psalms 24

Wednesday: Luke 5-6; Psalms 25

Thursday: Luke 7-8; Psalms 27

Friday: Luke 9-10; Psalms 28

Saturday: Luke 11-12; Psalms 30

50 Day Spiritual Adventure Scripture: Week of September 8, 2013

Week of September 8-14, 2013:

Sunday: Proverbs 15-16; Psalms 8

Monday: Proverbs 17-18; Psalms 9

Tuesday: Proverbs 19-20; Psalms 10

Wednesday: Proverbs 21-22; Psalms 12

Thursday: Proverbs 23-24; Psalms 17

Friday: Proverbs 25-26; Psalms 18

Saturday: Proverbs 27-28; Psalms 19

God Cares

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

During times of grief and tribulation it’s easy to get so burdened down with hurt and pain that we can feel God has abandoned us.  This leaves us feeling more alone and isolated than ever before.  There is hope!  While life with Jesus as Savior and Lord is freeing, it’s not free of hurt, pain, and discouragement.  We, after all, are living in a fallen world and are subject to a world where tragedies happen, where loved ones die, where people get sick.  The list is endless.    

For those who are in Christ, it is sometimes easy to forget that Jesus is always with us.  He is there all the time without us realizing it—like the two people discovered on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35 see here).  He’s patiently waiting for us to recognize Him and humble ourselves turning to Him with our burdens.  His arms are open wide!  Turn to Him and experience peace and contentment—even in the storms of life. 

Once we surrender to the Lord, I believe that we’ll find more joy and freedom and understanding than we ever thought possible.  Unbelievable joy and contentment awaits us as we surrender more of ourselves to God.    

Others can see our joy and contentment in situations that would cause them to go into a “tailspin”.  What will you say when asked about how you’re responding to your situation?  It’s times like these when we have the opportunity to share Jesus with others. 

The apostle Paul experienced this type of joy and freedom in his life in Christ.  Even being in jail, Paul penned these words to his Philipian brothers and sisters in Christ, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 KJV)

Take courage, we each have situations where our faith is shaky, and we don’t respond like we have faith.  This isn’t the end!  God is still with you, loving and caring for you.  Cast all your cares upon Him.  He can handle everything we give Him!

May we shine our light (Jesus) in ways that others can see!  

   

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer [permit] the righteous to be moved [shaken].”  (Psalm 55:22 KJV)

 

Heavenly Father, we pour out the cares to You that burden our hearts.  In confidence we believe that You protect us from the people or things that would bring us down.  Many times, Father, we feel overwhelmed and burdened by the things going on around us.  Help us to unburden ourselves in your presence, knowing that You can handle what we can’t.  In Jesus’ precious Name.  Amen.

Shine brightly, brothers and sisters!

From my heart to yours,

Kim

God’s Faithfulness

Webster’s Dictionary 1828 defines faithfulness (dictionary link) as: “1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.

2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.

3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.

4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.”

God’s faithfulness is all around us, if we would just open our eyes and soften our hearts.  If we can somehow see the unseen through understanding how God deals with His people, we can praise God even in the midst of pain, as well as the good times.  It is a part of God’s character and nature to be faithful—He cannot be anything but faithful.  We can fully trust God in all things.   

If we can focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2 see here), we’ll find ourselves able to honestly proclaim the words to the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

God is faithful to provide for His children; think about how God has provided for you when you thought all was hopeless.  Perhaps, the most difficult time to grow in our faith is during the times of calmness and good—when things are going well. Being faithful in all circumstances is important.

In fact, Paul, the apostle, talks about this in several of his letters. Paul was able to be joyful and content in all things, no matter what his circumstances.  In fact, he wrote his letter to the Philippians (“the book of joy”) from a jail cell—where he was awaiting to learn his fate.  Paul was martyred for his testimony in Jesus.  

How do we react when we face trials?  What about good times?  When is it easiest for you to grow in faith and relationship with God?

     

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  great is thy faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)

 Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to see your faithfulness to us in our daily lives, so that we can truly sing the words to Great is Thy Faithfulness.  Thank you for your great faithfulness to us.  We acknowledge our powerlessness without you to live our lives.  Teach us to grow in our relationship with you.  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.

From my heart to yours,

Kim

50 Day Fall Spiritual Adventure Scripture: Week of September 1, 2013

Scripture for Week of September 1-7, 2013:

Sunday: Proverbs 1-2; Psalms 1

Monday: Proverbs 3-4; Psalms 2

Tuesday: Proverbs 5-6; Psalms 3

Wednesday: Proverbs 7-8; Psalms 4

Thursday: Proverbs 9-10; Psalms 5

Friday: Proverbs 11-12; Psalms 6

Saturday: Proverbs 13-14; Psalms 7

50 Day Spiritual Adventure

Each fall, my pastor (Trinity United Methodist, Albia, Iowa Trinity's website) organizes a 50 Day Spiritual Adventure.  There are special services—including guest speakers, and small groups start.  There is also a Scripture reading calendar starting September 1 and ending on October 20.  It’s a time to change our focus from the busy summer months.  And it’s a time for some to get back in to spending time in the Holy Bible.  Or for some, it might be the first time they've really gotten into the Word.  Whatever the case may be, it’s a time of spiritual renewal.  Speaking for myself, I've learned and grown from these special experiences. 

My plan is to share a bit about what’s going on; however, my focus will be on the Scriptures. (To be addressed in future posts…stay tuned.)  Services and special events (unless otherwise indicated) are at: at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1117 Benton Avenue East, Albia, Iowa. All are welcome!

Special services:

Enoch Fernando: Sunday, September 22, 2013 (both worship services 8:30 am and 10:50 am)

            Enoch uses the piano as his pulpit.  He travels the world sharing his gift of music, along with words of inspiration and encouragement.

David Hunter: Sunday, September 29-October 2, 2013, 7 pm:

David Hunter will be at Trinity sharing his knowledge.  It will be a time of powerful prayer, teaching, healing, and Holy Spirit impartations.  David has an amazing testimony.  God is using him mightily.   

Community Youth Rally with Joel Johnson and Christian band “We are Leo”: Saturday, October 12, 2013 held in the high school gym

            Joel will be speaking Sunday morning at both services at Trinity.

Vince Homan: Sunday, October 27, 7:00-8:30pm: 

Vince will be speaking on grief in losing a loved one.  He has written a book A Foot in Two Worlds: Facing Life After Tragic Losses.

Small groups will be starting in September, using the book, Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition by Steve Harper.  There are a variety of days, times, locations, and host/leaders to choose from.  (I’ve already have started working my way through the book and find it to be interesting and informing.)

Everyone is welcome!  Hope to see you there!

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God!  I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10 KJV)

This summer I was introduced to a Christian, inspirational fiction series, written by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella (the first two and then after just Michael)—The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister.  The series opens during the days of the California gold rush and continues through the post-Civil War period.  In reflecting on this time period, I realize that while things weren't easy or simple in many ways, there was a stillness, a quietness that life in the 21^st century simply doesn't allow.  Travel during this period was anything but quick or safe.  Prior to the coast-to-coast railroad travel from the east coast to the west was arduous and slow (horse and buggy—wagon trains or stagecoach).  Life during this time, while not easy seems to have lent itself to times of quiet reflection, stillness. 

Yes, people were busy, just like we are today.  However, their busyness was different than our busyness.  They were busy simply trying to survive—get food on the table, care for their family, and make a living.   

Life in the 21^st century is anything but still.  People are running to and fro—going from one activity to another at a breakneck speed, technology seems to morph overnight; knowledge is multiplying so rapidly that it’s impossible to keep up (see Daniel 12:4 see here), and we are suffering for it in a variety of ways. 

Due to the internet and social media sites we’re more connected than ever before, yet not connected at the same time.  Relationships seem to be characterized (many times) by shallowness. 

It’s no wonder our brains and bodies feel completely overwhelmed and frazzled at times!    

I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to simply be still and wait for God to come to me.  Even though, I know that I need to be still, I find myself time and time again scurrying from one thing to another—if not physically then mentally.  Sadly, God gets crowded out; and I end up exhausted—physically and emotionally. 

What about you: How are you about being still and letting God come to you and commune with you?  As the second verse of the hymn, Be Still, My Soul (Public Domain) states: “Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past; thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake—All now mysterious shall be bright at last.  Be still my soul—the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.”

What does it mean to be still?  How can you take some time each day in the coming week to be still and wait upon the Lord? 

 

Please join me in prayer:

Dear Lord of All, we confess that many times we find it hard to be still and know that you are God.  Help us to learn how to be still and wait for you to come to us.  We acknowledge that we need this stillness in the midst of our busy schedules; nudge us into those places of quiet rest.  In Your precious name, we pray, Amen.

From my heart to yours,

Kim